Synthesis of transparent poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF)/zirconium oxide hybrids without crystallization of PVdF chains

Transparent and homogeneous organic-inorganic hybrids with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) could be prepared by addition of zirconium oxide nanocrystals (ZrO2-NCs) in a polar aprotic solvent and the subsequent solvent evaporation. The polar aprotic solvents such as DMF, DMAc and DMSO would form hydrogen bonds with Zr-OH groups of the ZrO2-NC and play a role as compatibilizers between the PVdF and ZrO2-NCs. The interpenetration between PVdF and ZrO2-NCS resulted in the nanometer dispersion of PVdF chains in a ZrO2-NC matrix. High dosage of the ZrO2-NCs as physical inhibitors between PVdF polymer chains sufficiently prevented the PVdF chain mobility in the internal of hybrids. The transparency of the PVdF/ZrO2-NC hybrids was dramatically improved by controlling the content of ZrO2-NCs. Novel multifunctional hybrids with high transparency, high refractive index and good mechanical property were obtained by hybridization of PVdF and ZrO2-NCs. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.