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Updated: Feb 7, 2026
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Anionic Polymerization of an Amphiphilic Copolymer for Preparation of Block Copolymer Micelles Stabilized by π-π Stacking Interactions
Published on: October 10, 2016
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Nanoconfinement-Induced β-Phase Formation Inside Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-Based Block Copolymers.
Niels L Meereboer1, Ivan Terzić1, Sarah Saidi2
1Macromolecular Chemistry and New Polymeric Materials, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
ACS Macro Letters
|July 24, 2018
Summary
Nanostructuring poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) in confined spaces influences its crystalline phases. Spherical confinement favors the ferroelectric β-phase, while lamellar confinement yields the nonferroelectric α-phase.
Area of Science:
- Polymer science
- Materials science
- Crystallization phenomena
Background:
- Electroactive properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) depend on its crystalline phases.
- Nanostructuring PVDF in confined geometries significantly alters its crystallization behavior, though mechanisms remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate melt crystallization of PVDF-based triblock copolymers.
- Understand how morphology and amorphous block chemistry affect PVDF crystallization.
- Explore phase formation in nanoconfined PVDF.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of PVDF-based triblock copolymers.
- Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for thermal analysis.
- Small-angle and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) for structural characterization.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for morphological insights.
Main Results:
- Homogeneous nucleation in spherical nanodomains leads to undercooling and formation of the ferroelectric β-phase.
- Heterogeneous nucleation in lamellar morphologies or breakout crystallization results in the nonferroelectric α-phase.
- Favorable melt interactions promote the polar γ-phase at moderate cooling rates.
Conclusions:
- Nanoconfinement dictates PVDF crystalline phase formation through nucleation mechanisms.
- Morphology and inter-block interactions are critical factors controlling PVDF crystallization behavior and resulting electroactive properties.
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