Ferroelectric Polymers

While polymeric materials are generally electrically passive, a number of electroactive polymers are now in existence. Among these, ferroelectric polymers (exhibiting piezo- and pyro-electricity) are the most widely studied and commercialized materials. 

This talk will summarize various aspects of our research in this area, and will be focussed on the first ferroelectric polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride) and its copolymers with tri- and tetra-fluoroethylene. Its chemistry, molecular and crystal structure, polymorphism, defects, and morphology will be discussed and used to explain the origin of its electrical properties.