Non-linear actuation response of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) basednanocomposites

摘要

Recent research on overcoming inherent limitations on the electromechanical properties of polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF) and copolymers has been directed towards adding nanoinclusions to take advantage of their scale and properties.This research shows that adding single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) creates a quadratic electromechanicalresponse in PVDF. Enhanced effective dielectric constant and formation of polar microstructure suggests anelectrostrictive response. Contributions from Joule heating will be assessed next, as they may be significant at higherSWNT content.