A novel structure of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) stabilized by MoS2 nanotubes

The first polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-MoS2 nanotube based nanocomposites have been prepared. The structure of the nanocomposite is discussed based on electron microscopy, X-ray and atomic force microscopy studies. The results indicate that the well-dispersed MoS2 nanotubes are efficiently incorporated into the polymer matrix. The polymer-nanotube interaction stabilizes a novel 2b stacking within the g-phase, as confirmed by X-ray and AFM measurements, which represents a new PVDF crystal structure. Annealing of the PVDF-MoS2 nanotube films at 110 degrees C during polymer crystallization leads to a completely relaxed alpha-phase with the nanotubes forming the nucleation centres for crystallization of the dendritic alpha-phase.