Integration of piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) composites into high performance fiber-reinforced composite systems

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is integrated into high performance fiber-reinforced composite systems to serve as sensor, humidity barrier or to modify the toughness of the material due to its unique properties, e.g., such as high chemical and thermal stability as well as piezoelectricity. Ideally, a multifunctional material is obtained. To allow for sensoric functionality PVDF in its β crystalline phase is required. Thus, within the project PVDF composites with spontaneously induced β crystallinity will be used. Alternately, PVDF composites that spontaneously form the β phase within the multi-phase system via self-organization may be applied. The composite material system will be analyzed with respect to its mechanical and piezoelectric characteristics. Important questions are electrical contacting and polarization of PVDF in the composite material. For this purpose suitable laminate architectures need to be developed, which allow for structured introduction of PVDF and the electrodes as well as electro-mechanical characterization of the multifunctional material. The project focusses on investigations in the aria of material sciences.