Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride)

Very few polymers offer the same fundamental scientific intrigue, real life application usefulness, and overall versatility as Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride) (PVDF). Though PVDF has been extensively studied, as a whole, over the past 50 years, majority of the research has centered on understanding the fascinating piezoelectric effects of PVDF and the polar beta phase conformation that results in such previously mentioned effects. Beyond its pyro- ferro- and piezoelectric properties, PVDF also offers much usefulness in the realms of chemically inert membrane materials and as a carbon precursor material. To date there fails to exist a definitive reference for the processing effects and crystalline characteristics of PVDF. In order to take the next step in fully understanding this system we must complement the current published literature with accurate and comprehensive morphological information pertaining to the many lamellar structures of PVDF which had only been theorized into existence to date. Secondarily, the use of PVDF as a viable carbon precursor material is also an understudied regime. These studies have mostly been limited in scope to carbon fiber-based materials and film applications. Here we aim to demonstrate an even greater value in the use of PVDF as a precursor material for the synthesis of unique and exotic template carbon nanomaterials. This thesis proposal shall attempt to define and characterize the free standing morphological differences in the previously documented polymorphic structures of PVDF, to produce the first processing-structure-properties phase diagram for PVDF, and to demonstrate the ability to utilize PVDF as a carbon precursor material while maintaining its unique and highly tailorable morphological structure throughout. These things in turn will provide a greater vantage point towards our comprehensive understanding of the PVDF crystallization phenomena and processing behavior.