Combined in situ DSC/SAXS/WAXS experiments of a ferroelectric copolymer elaborated with dual solvent formulations

The ferroelectric copolymer polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene P(VDF-TrFE) is of great interest for the development of flexible piezoelectric devices. Our innovative strategy for developing the copolymer consists in using two solvents, each promoting two different conformations of the copolymer chains in order to potentially obtain higher piezoelectric coefficients. The objective is to study the thermodynamics of the solutions as well as the morphology and structure of the domains as a function of the solvent mixtures during thermal annealing. We want to simultaneously perform in situ Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)/Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS)/Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS) of the copolymer with different solvent mixtures. Additional electrical measurements will be performed on the corresponding devices. Knowledge of the thermodynamic, morphological, structural, and electrical properties will significantly improve the piezoelectric performance.