Reversible thermo-chromic polyvinilidyn floride/polydiacetylene/zinc oxide composite nanofibers

Abstract

In this study, by combining the polymers of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and 10,12-pentacosadinoic acid and adding the zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles to their solution, three component composite nanofibers were electrospun and their thermo-chromic reversibility were investigated. Different amounts of ZnO nanoparticles based on the weight of PVDF were added to the mixture of PVDF/PDA (polydiacetylene) polymers and composite nanofibers were produced by electrospinning method. Adding ZnO to the electrospinning solvent affects nanofibers structural morphology and helps formation of beads in the electrospun nanofibers in comparison with that of PVDF/PDA sample. The crystal structure of the samples and the chemical changes in the structure of the polymers indicate that the addition of ZnO nanoparticles increases the stability of the nanofiber structure against heat and chromic change. Samples containing more than 2% ZnO with different UV irradiation times were reversible up to 140 °C. The best thermo-chromic reversibility of the PVDF/PDA/ZnO composite nanofibers could be obtained by sample containing 3% ZnO nanoparticles where the minimum irreversible temperature with an UV irradiation time of 5 min for this sample is 170 °C.