(PVDF)2(PEO)2 miktoarm star copolymers: Synthesis and isothermal crystallization leading to exclusive β-phase formation

In this work, we study how chain topology can induce different polymorphic behaviors in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based materials. A linear PVDF precursor with two azido groups at the junction point, (PVDFx-N3)2 and three 4-miktoarm star copolymers (PVDFx)2-b-(PEOy)2 poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) arms were synthesized employed study. The amphiphilic miktoarm prepared by a combination of anionic ring-opening polymerization, iodine transfer radical polymerization (ITP), copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). They have practically similar overall molar mass but compositions, ideal for performing bulk morphology crystallization investigations. isothermal kinetics PEO representative precursors was determined Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). results indicate that crystallized faster than equivalent as are dominated nucleation effects. phases formed components materials examined analyzed studying their melting behavior DSC, superstructural Polarized Light Optical Microscopy (PLOM), phase structure Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). (PVDF29-N3)2, exhibited α, β γ-phases (with majority β-phase formation) during after crystallization. ratio depends on temperature. An analysis multiple indicated sample forms both α β-phases initially, α-phase partially transforms into γ-phase when temperature increases. We found remarkable copolymers, only form ferroelectric all isothermally regardless employed. presence polymorphism detected PLOM, FTIR. Hence, shown tailoring lead to exclusive formation, path be exploited future piezoelectric applications.