A novel structure of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) stabilized by MoS2 nanotubes

The first polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)–MoS2 nanotube based nanocomposites have been prepared. The structure of the nanocomposite is discussed based on electron microscopy, X-ray and atomic force microscopy studies. The results indicate that the well-dispersed MoS2 nanotubes are efficiently incorporated into the polymer matrix. The polymer–nanotube interaction stabilizes a novel 2b stacking within the γ-phase, as confirmed by X-ray and AFM measurements, which represents a new PVDF crystal structure. Annealing of the PVDF–MoS2 nanotube films at 110 °C during polymer crystallization leads to a completely relaxed α-phase with the nanotubes forming the nucleation centres for crystallization of the dendritic α-phase.