A new class of ferroelectric polymers, the odd-numbered nylons

The thermal stability of the piezoelectric response of a new class of ferroelectric polymer, the odd-numbered nylons has been studied and the behavior compared with the thermal stability of piezoelectricity in poly(vinylidene fluoride). FTIR absorbance spectroscopy and an x-ray diffraction study show that under high applied electric fields a 90° dipole switching mechanism orients amide dipoles in the field direction, prior to 180° switching under repeated reversals of field.