Nanoindentation, nanoscratch, and nanotensile testing of poly(vinylidene fluoride)‐polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocomposites

Nanocomposites composed of a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix and 0, 3, 5, and 8 wt % fluoropropyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (FP‐POSS) were prepared by using the solvent evaporation method. The morphology and the crystalline phase of the nanocomposites were investigated by digital microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, X‐ray diffractometer, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. FP‐POSS acted as nucleating agent in PVDF matrix. A small content of FP‐POSS resulted in an incomplete nucleation of PVDF and generated bigger spherical particles, whereas higher contents led to a complete nucleation and formed more separate and less‐crosslinked particles. Nanoindentation, nanoscratch, and nanotensile tests were carried out to study the influence of different contents of FP‐POSS on the key static and dynamic mechanical properties of different systems. The nanocomposite with 3 wt % FP‐POSS was found to possess enhanced elastic properties and hardness. However, with the increase of the FP‐POSS content, the elastic modulus and hardness were found to decrease, and the improvement on stiffness was negative at contents of 5 and 8 wt %. Compared with neat PVDF, the scratch resistance of the PVDF/FP‐POSS nanocomposites was decreased due to a rougher surface derived from the bigger spherulites. Nanotensile testing results showed both the stiffness and toughness of PVDF‐FP3% were enhanced and further additions of FP‐POSS brought dramatic enhancements in toughness while associated with a decline in stiffness. Dynamical mechanical properties indicated the viscosity of the nanocomposites increased with the increasing FP‐POSS contents.