Formation of ‘‘single crystalline films’’ of ferroelectric copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene

We find that a highly double-oriented film of practically unlimited size can be obtained from a uniaxially drawn film of P(VDF/TrFE) by crystallization in the paraelectric phase with its surfaces free from any constraint other than tensile stress along the chain axis. The c axis (the chain axis) and the [110] axis in the orthorhombic system of the poled crystalline film are parallel to the stretching axis and perpendicular to the film plane, respectively. Contrary to conventional crystalline polymer films, the present film has no amorphous region and no lamellar crystal. The film exhibits highly anisotropic characteristics in optical, mechanical, and piezoelectric properties.