Silicon carbide-induced piezoelectric β-phase in poly(vinylidene fluoride) and its properties

The piezoelectricβ-phase of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) has been synthesized through solution route in presence of varying percentage of silicon carbide (SiC). Various measurements were conducted to analyze the effect ofSiCaddition on structural, mechanical, and dielectric properties, as also the properties affecting hydrophilicity and morphology ofPVDF. The x-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic and differential scanning calorimetry analyses confirm the presence ofβ-phase ofPVDFon addition ofSiC. The Young’s modulus of the composites increases as compared with pristinePVDF. The hydrophilic nature of the composites improves with increasingSiCcontent. Dielectric constant increases in composites, especially at lower frequency range and the relaxation pattern in the crystalline phase changes significantly causing reduction of relaxation frequency with increasingSiCconcentration.