Rheological, crystallization and electrical properties of poly vinylidene fluoride filled with micron iron

Micron iron was added into poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) via solution method to prepare the PVDF conductive composites. The electrical properties, non-isothermal crystallization kinetics, crystal form, rheological, and thermal properties of PVDF/Fe composites were studied. Compared with neat PVDF, the PVDF/Fe composites had a higher crystallization rate, thermal stability and conductivity, but both crystallinity and flow property would decrease. The PVDF/Fe composites were subsequently treated by an alternating magnetic field. The percolation threshold value of the composites was found to reduce from 30 vol % to 11 vol %. The conductivity of the PVDF/Fe composites after alternating magnetic treatment increased by 8 orders of magnitude in comparison to neat PVDF, and the electrical conductivity of the PVDF/Fe composite with 30 vol % iron content was about 10(-0.58) Sm-1. The iron particles were more likely to form a conductive network in the polymer matrix after the magnetic field treatment according to morphological observation. The present work will supply an insight into the design of PVDF conductive composites as well as the further studies on the relationship between structure and property of polymer composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E88-E101, 2019. (c) 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers