Effect of Poly(vinylphenol) on the Ferroelectric Performance of Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)

Structures and ferroelectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/poly(vinylphenol), i.e., P-(VDF-TrFE)/PVPh, blends are studied. It is found that a small amount of PVPh segregates as small nanodomains distributed homogeneously on the surface of a P(VDF-TrFE) film. The incorporation of PVPh depresses the Curie transition temperature and remnant polarization of P(VDF-TrFE) slightly. It enhances the coercive electric field (E-c) slightly but improves the thermal stability of ferroelectric properties by nearly 30 degrees C with 5 wt % PVPh. In addition, by maintaining the relatively high permittivity, the addition of PVPh effectively lowers the dielectric losses. This provides an efficient and simple way to fabricate P(VDF-TrFE)-based nonvolatile flexible memories with low leakage, high thermal stability, and high breakdown strength.