Microstructure and electromechanical properties of carbon nanotube/ poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorofluoroethylene) composites

Well-dispersed P(VDF-TrFE-CFE)/carbon nanotube (CNT) composites were fabricated by prefunctionalization of the CNT and employing a coagulation method. The homogeneous distribution of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in the composite was significantly decreased the CNT loading and reduced the dielectric loss, while maintaining a high dielectric constant and increased the mechanical modulus. Dielectric properties measured showed that the neat P(VDF-TrFE-CFE) has a room temperature K value of 57 at 100 Hz, compared to the value of ∼5 for other conventional polymers. The improvement in CNTs led to an enhanced strain response at reduced electric field and an increase in composite elastic energy density.