Relationship between the microstructure and the microscopic piezoelectric response of the α- and β-phases of poly(vinylidene fluoride)

The piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of PVDF mainly depend on its beta-phase. This work reports the study by scanning force microscopy in a piezoresponse mode of the variations in the topological morphology and piezoelectric surface response of beta-PVDF prepared by the main preparation methods of this phase. Clear differences in the poled region distribution and size, as well as in the local piezoactivity, have been identified. The piezoelectric activity at a mesoscale reflects the semicrystalline phase of the polymer.