Synergistic Processes for Microstructure Engineering and Enhanced Dielectric Functionality in PVDF-based Systems

Vinylidene Fluoride (VDF)-based polymers are renowned for their remarkable electroactive properties, encompassing the piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and ferroelectric effects. These properties make them highly sought-after in a wide range of applications, such as sensors and energy storage. The modulation of their dielectric characteristics is intricately linked to the crystalline polymorphism, which is contingent upon specific processing conditions. Herein, we evaluate the potential for enhancing these dielectric functionalities through modifications of the casting conditions (i.e., solvent and evaporation rate). Our findings demonstrate that superior structural characteristics and enhanced dielectric properties are achieved when casting from highly polar solvents followed by a vacuum annealing treatment. This simple and efficient method eliminates the need for extensive and complex processing methods and holds promise for streamlining industrial integration on a larger scale by reducing energy costs related to common integration processes.