A novel structure of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) stabilized by MoS2nanotubes

Abstract

The first polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)–MoS₂ nanotube based nanocomposites have been prepared. The structure of the nanocomposite is discussed based on electron microscopy, X-ray and atomic force microscopy studies. The results indicate that the well-dispersed MoS₂ nanotubes are efficiently incorporated into the polymer matrix. The polymer–nanotube interaction stabilizes a novel 2b stacking within the γ-phase, as confirmed by X-ray and AFM measurements, which represents a new PVDF crystal structure. Annealing of the PVDF–MoS₂ nanotube films at 110 °C during polymer crystallization leads to a completely relaxed α-phase with the nanotubes forming the nucleation centres for crystallization of the dendritic α-phase.