PVDF/PMMA Composite Nanofiber Fabricated by Electrospray Deposition: Crystallization of PVDF Induced by Solvent Extraction of PMMA Component

The crystallization of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was observed after the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) component was extracted from the PVDF/PMMA (50/50) composite nanofiber fabricated by electrospray deposition, even though the original composite showed a completely amorphous pattern in the wide-angle X-ray diffraction. The content of the beta-crystal form in the crystalline region depended on the PVDF/PMMA composite ratios and the type of solvents used for the extraction of the PMMA component, e.g., chloroform and toluene. Thus, the content of the beta-crystal form can be controlled by selecting the original PVDF/PMMA composition and the solvent used to extract the PMMA component. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 1868-1872, 2009