Structure and vibrational frequency determination for α-poly(vinylidene fluoride) using density-functional theory

The structure of the non-polar α-phase of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is determined by density-functional methods. We find very good agreement between our relaxed structure and that of previous X-ray diffraction studies. Using the relaxed structure, we have determined the infrared and Raman frequencies for the material using density-functional perturbation theory. The resulting frequencies are in excellent agreement with experiment and are comparable in accuracy to semi-empirical values for most absorbencies. In addition, we find a better agreement to experiment than a previously reported Hartree–Fock determination of vibrational frequencies in finite isolated PVDF chains. The low-frequency portion of our spectra (50–300 cm−1) shows better agreement with experimental values than the same frequencies found semi-empirically. Improved accuracy in this frequency range will aid in modeling phase transitions and dielectric response in PVDF.