Relaxor fluorinated polymers: novel applications and recent developments

It has been found that by introducing defects into the P(VDF-TrFE) copolymers, it is possible to convert the polymer from a normal ferroelectric to a relaxor ferroelectric. A new class of ferroelectric polymers, i.e., the terpolymers of P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) or of P(VDF-TrFE- CTFE), was developed from the normal ferroelectric PVDF-TrFE polymer by employing proper defect modifications which eliminate detrimental effects associated with a normal first order F-P transition while maintaining high material responses. Relevant studies show that this class of electroactive polymers offers unique properties in comparison with other ferroelectric polymers. The syntheses of these relaxor ferroelectric polymers have been done by a combination of the suspension polymerization process and an oxygen-activated initiator at a temperature of 40 °C. Films from cast solution can be made in different length and thicknesses. Stretching of these films increases the performance as well as the mechanical properties. These relaxor-ferroelectric terpolymers P(VDF-TrFE-CFE), P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) are multifunctional i.e. electrostrictive material, dielectric for electric energy storage. The terpolymer exhibits high electrostrictive strain (>7%) with relatively high modulus (>0.4GPa) and high electrocalorific effect. Dielectric polymers with high dipole density have the potential to achieve very high energy density. Examples of devices applications using unimorphe systems are presented. Micropump and Optical device concerning a liquid-filled varifocal lens on a chip are described.