Effect of γ-ray radiation on structure of P(VDF/TrFE) 80/20 mol% copolymers

The γ-ray irradiation effect on poly(vinylidene–trifluoroethylene) 80/20 mol% copolymers was studied. It is found that the irradiation results in the cross-linking in the amorphous area and the carbon–carbon double bond in the copolymer due to dehydrofluorination. The thermal analysis (DTA) data indicate that the irradiation down shifts both the melting temperature and the phase transition temperature, and the irradiation also reduces the crystallinity. It is found that the size of the crystal regions in the copolymer decreases during the irradiation and that the lattice space expanses with the irradiation. The crystal regions with a reduced size might response for the excellent electromechanical properties observed in the irradiated copolymer.