A Room-Temperature Process for Polyvinylidene Fluoride/Polyaniline-Nanofiber Composite Films with Enhanced Dielectric Properties

In this work, we report a room-temperature process for polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/polyaniline (PANI)-nanofiber composite films based on solution blow spinning (SBS) and cold pressing. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectra prove the successful preparation of PANI nanofibers with a large specific surface area. Energy dispersive spectroscopy indicates homogeneous dispersion of the PANI nanofibers in PVDF. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectra demonstrate the high polar-phase crystals of PVDF in the PVDF/PANI. The above results suggest that both the SBS and PANI nanofibers contribute to the high polar-phase crystals of PVDF and thus the large enhancement in the dielectric constant; the uniform dispersion of the PANI nanofibers in the PVDF matrix and the strong interfacial bond between the PANI and PVDF are critical for effectively suppressing dielectric loss. This efficient room-temperature process has advantages of low energy consumption and improved dielectric properties, and it is expected to endow PVDF with the potential for industrial application in power-storage devices. Graphical Abstract