Department of Chemistry and Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
Abstract:
PVDF nanocomposites are prepared through solution mixing of Au‐NPs or Au‐NSs with PVDF. The novel optical properties of Au‐NPs and ‐NSs are retained as confirmed from UV‐Vis spectra. Analysis of resulting nanocomposites by FT‐IR, XRD, and DSC shows an obvious polymorphism change from α‐ to β‐form compared to PVDF prepared under the same conditions. The β‐polymorph seems to be more prominent with higher concentration of Au‐NPs (0.5%) and even more so with Au‐NSs. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that both nanocomposites have better resistance toward thermal degradation. Combination of novel optical properties of Au‐NPs or Au‐NSs with induced ferroelectric‐active β‐polymorph in PVDF can lead to new design of optical, piezoelectric devices.
