Supramolecular organization of poly(vinylidene fluoride)-camphor sulfonic acid blends: giant spherulites

Abstract

A gradual change in morphology of poly(vinylidene fluoride)-camphor sulfonic acid (PVF₂-CSA) blend from compact spherulites of PVF₂ to open spherulites and finally to giant spherulites with increasing CSA concentration in the blend is observed when viewed in optical microscopy. An X-ray study indicates the presence of two types of lamella, viz., (i) supramolecularly organized lamella of the PVF₂-CSA system and (ii) lamella of pure PVF₂ crystal in the blends. A differential scanning calorimetry study reveals that the crystallization of the supramolecular organized structure is a slow process Supramolecular organization of PVF₂-CSA blends produces giant spherulites at CSA-rich compositions. The giant spherulites contain a fibrillar network structure with the piezoelectric form of PVF₂ and may find application as a sensor material.