The effect of clay and of electrospinning on the polymorphism, structure and morphology of poly(vinylidene fluoride)

Electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) fibers, containing different amounts of montmorillonite clay were produced, in order to study the effect of clay and of the electrospinning process on the polymorphism, structure and morphology of the PVDF matrix. Clay acted as a processing aid agent, avoiding the formation of beads and improving the quality of the fibers. Clay and the electrospinning process acted synergically on the chain mobility, favoring the formation of β phase of PVDF, the most valuable for its piezoelectric properties, and shaping its semicrystalline morphology. Electrospinning did not significantly aid the dispersion of clay within the matrix. The interplay of formulation and processing in these composites allowed to obtain PVDF-based materials with varying polymorphism, structure and morphology, offering the possibility to ultimately control their functional properties.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Electrospun PVDF fibers with different amounts of montmorillonite were produced. ► Clay acted as a processing aid agent, improving the quality of the fibers. ► Clay and electrospinning acted synergically on chain mobility favoring PVDF β phase. ► Control of chain mobility allows to shape the structure and properties of PVDF. ► Electrospinning does not aid the dispersion of clay within the matrix.