Thermal and dielectric investigations of the curie transition in Poly(vinylidene fluoride—trifluoroethylene) copolymers

Abstract

Abstract The ferroelectric-to-paraelectric phase transition in poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) copolymers has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and dielectric techniques. The transition appears to be very dependent on the crystallization kinetics and thermal history. The anomalies accompanying the transition show that the structural transformations are complex. In particular, the 30 mol % TrFE sample presents the most remarkable effects. The results are discussed in terms of the existence of a possible intermediate crystalline phase. The role of defects and of the anchored amorphous phase have also been considered.