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Polyvinylidene Fluoride Aerogels with Tailorable Crystalline Phase Composition.

Jorge Torres-Rodriguez^1,2, Diana E Bedolla^3,4, Francesco D'Amico³

¹Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Jakob Haringer-Str. 2A, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.

Gels (Basel, Switzerland)

|November 10, 2022

Summary

Researchers developed polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) aerogels with tunable crystal phases using crystallization-induced gelation. Adjusting non-solvent composition controls phase stabilization and aerogel properties for advanced material applications.

Keywords:

PVDF aerogel crystalline phases polyvinylidene fluoride

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Polymer Chemistry

Background:

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a versatile fluoropolymer with diverse applications.
Controlling the crystalline phase of PVDF is crucial for optimizing its properties.
Aerogels offer unique structural properties due to their high porosity.

Purpose of the Study:

To prepare PVDF aerogels with tailorable phase composition.
To investigate the influence of non-solvent composition on PVDF aerogel crystallization and properties.
To achieve specific crystalline phases (β and γ) for enhanced material performance.

Main Methods:

Preparation of PVDF wet gels via crystallization-induced gelation using PVDF-DMF solutions and non-solvent mixtures (DMF/ethanol).
Systematic variation of non-solvent concentration to control gelation and crystallization.
Characterization using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies to monitor crystalline phases.
In-situ ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to follow the crystallization process.
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Synchrotron Radiation Computed micro-Tomography (SR-μCT) for morphological analysis.

Main Results:

PVDF aerogels with tailorable phase composition were successfully synthesized.
Ethanol acted as a nucleating agent, enabling the production of low-density PVDF aerogels.
Addition of water promoted the stabilization of the desirable β and γ PVDF phases.
Specific surface areas exceeding 150 m² g⁻¹ were achieved.
Aerogel morphology was found to be dependent on the non-solvent composition.

Conclusions:

Crystallization-induced gelation is an effective method for preparing PVDF aerogels with controlled phase composition.
Non-solvent engineering provides a pathway to tune the crystalline phases (β and γ) and properties of PVDF aerogels.
The developed PVDF aerogels exhibit high surface area and tunable morphologies, indicating potential for various applications.