Block copolymer route towards poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(methacrylic acid)/nickel nanocomposites

PVDF-based block copolymers have been employed as precursors for the construction of PVDF/PMAA/Ni nanocomposites. New poly(tert-butyl methacrylate)-block-poly(vinylidene fluoride)-block-poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) (PtBMA-b-PVDF-b-PtBMA) triblock copolymers were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of tBMA from chlorine-terminated PVDF macroinitiators. The alternating crystalline–amorphous lamellar nanostructure and the spherulitic microstructure indicate the dominant role of crystallization of the PVDF segments during structure formation. The polar β-crystalline phase of PVDF has been detected within the block copolymer films. Hydrolysis of the tBMA segments and subsequent backfilling of the remaining polymer template with nickel through electroless metal deposition generated PVDF/PMAA/Ni nanocomposites. The β-polymorph was preserved during hydrolysis and electroless plating, as well as the lamellar morphology.