Electrostrictive and Structural Properties of Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride-Hexafluoropropylene) Composite Nanofibers Filled with Polyaniline (Emeraldine Base).

Nikruesong Tohluebaji,Jureeporn Yuennan,Chatchai Putson,Nantakan Muensit

doi:10.3390/polym13193250

Abstract

Previous studies have reported that poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-HFP)) copolymers can exhibit large electrostrictive strains depending on the filler. This work examines the electrostrictive and structural properties of P(VDF-HFP) nanofibers modified with conductive polymer polyaniline (PANI). The P(VDF-HFP)/PANI composite nanofibers were prepared by an electrospinning method with different PANI concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3 and 5 wt.%). The average diameter, water contact angle and element were analyzed by SEM, WCA and EDX, respectively. The crystalline, phase structure and mechanical properties were investigated by XRD, FTIR and DMA, respectively. The dielectric properties and electrostrictive behavior were also studied. The results demonstrated that the composite nanofibers exhibited uniform fibers without any bead formation, and the WCA decreased with increasing amount of PANI. However, a high dielectric constant and electromechanical response were obtained. The electrostrictive coefficient, crystalline, phase structure, dielectric properties and interfacial charge distributions increased in relation to the PANI content. Moreover, this study indicates that P(VDF-HFP)/PANI composite nanofibers may represent a promising route for obtaining electrostrictive composite nanofibers for actuation applications, microelectromechanical systems and sensors based on electrostrictive phenomena.

Highlights

Electroactive polymers (EAPs) are materials that respond to electrical stimulation by exhibiting significantly large strains
As the concentrati of PANI increases, the color of the composite nanofibers changes from white to navy blu which is the color of the PANI powder, indicating the presence of the additives in t composite
The colorthe of the composite nanofibers changeschanges from white navy of PANI increases, color of the composite nanofibers from to white toblue, navywhich blue, iswhich the color of the powder, indicating the presence of the additives in the composis the color of the PANI powder, indicating the presence of the additives in the ite

Summary

Introduction

Electroactive polymers (EAPs) are materials that respond to electrical stimulation by exhibiting significantly large strains. EAPs, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymers, such as polyvinylidenefuoride hexafuoropropylene (P(VDF-HFP)), have been widely studied due to their relatively large and fast electromechanical response, high breakdown strength, high mechanical and chemical stability, flexibility, low acoustic impedance, low cost and processing advantages. While numerous strategies have been developed to promote the electroactive polar β-phase in P(VDF-HFP), an electrospinning process has attracted attention as it provides high orientation of the polymer chains under an applied high electric field. It is simple, versatile, practical, inexpensive and offers promising characteristics for the fabrication of uniform and ultrafine fibers. Najjar et al [9] successfully fabricated

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