title: Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/nickel nanocomposites from semicrystalline block copolymer precursors.
abstract: The fabrication of nanoporous poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and PVDF/nickel nanocomposites from semicrystalline block copolymer precursors is reported. Polystyrene-block-poly(vinylidene fluoride)-block-polystyrene (PS-b-PVDF-b-PS) is prepared through functional benzoyl peroxide initiated polymerization of VDF, followed by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene. The crystallization of PVDF plays a dominant role in the formation of the block copolymer structure, resulting in a spherulitic superstructure with an internal crystalline-amorphous lamellar nanostructure. The block copolymer promotes the formation of the ferroelectric β-polymorph of PVDF. Selective etching of the amorphous regions with nitric acid leads to nanoporous PVDF, which functions as a template for the generation of PVDF/Ni nanocomposites. The lamellar nanostructure and the β-crystalline phase are conserved during the etching procedure and electroless nickel deposition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Chemistry, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Vincent S D
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Voet
authors.forename: Martijn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tichelaar
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanase
authors.forename: Marjo C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mittelmeijer-Hazeleger
authors.forename: Gerrit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: ten Brinke
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Loos
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D011145:Polyvinyls / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009532:Nickel; D011137:Polystyrenes; D011145:Polyvinyls; C024865:polyvinylidene fluoride; D005465:Fluorocarbon Polymers