Morphology-structure-property relationships in ultraquenched poly(vinylidene fluoride)

Abstract

Ultraquenching of thin films (∼1000 Å) was used to obtain glassy poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVF₂). Electron microscopy indicates the glass has no structure larger than 20 Å. Electron diffraction indicates crystallization forms from the glass at ∼−30 °C into β form. Rapid crystallization from the glass results in the development of a nodular, microcrystalline morphology which can be changed only by annealing above Tα. Thick films (∼80 μm) could not be ultraquenched to the glass; ultraquenching results in α form crystals in the bulk and β form on the surface. These thicker films were characterized by x‐ray diffraction, dynamic mechanical spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry.