Enhancing Beta-Phase in PVDF through Physicochemical Modification of Cellulose

The piezo-, pyro- and ferroelectric properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) are strongly associated with its beta-phase having an all-trans conformation that can be enhanced via filler addition. Hypothesizing an interaction between -OH groups of cellulose and PVDF, alkali treatment, ball milling and acid hydrolysis of cellulose were carried out to improve the availability of surface -OH groups. beta-phase development in PVDF composites was studied with respect to addition of physicochemically altered variants of cellulose at different concentrations. Our study establishes cellulose nanowhiskers produced via acid hydrolysis as the optimal filler for PVDF.