Highly Ferroelectric PVDF Nanocomposites: Mechanochemical Synthesis and Characterization

Undergraduate #74
Discipline: Nanoscience
Subcategory: Materials Science

Robert Turner - Tennessee State University
Co-Author(s): Akinwunmi Joaquim, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, Omari Paul, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, Yuri A. Barnakov, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN, Frances R. Williams, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

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There are many ways to affect the paths and rates of a chemical reaction. 1) Depending on external stimuli, light or current, a reaction can be governed by either photochemistry or electrochemistry laws and principles. Mechanical energy also can be used to manipulate a chemical reaction via the planetary ball-milling process. 2) The fast colliding balls produce instantaneous heat capable to form compounds with exotic, otherwise non-obtainable properties. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the wet ball-milling process is capable of producing small stressed ferroelectric barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanoparticles with the largest value of spontaneous polarization. 3)
In this work, we report on synthesis and characterization of functional nanocomposites of piezoelectric polymer PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) doped with ball-milled BaTiO3 nanoparticles. The presence of small highly ferroelectric nanoparticles reinforces mechanical and structural characteristics of PVDF. The phase transitions studies, which are key features for both PVDF and BaTiO3, will also be presented.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): Department of the Navy

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Frances Williams, frwilliams@tnstate.edu

Role: Conducted material synthesis and characterization of mechanical properties.