The Glow Discharge Plasma Polarization Effect on PVDF Film Properties

The article discusses the polarization technique using glow discharge plasmas of ferroelectric PVDF films. The polarization of oriented, unpoled samples of PVDF with a thickness of 25 μm was studied in a glow discharge configuration with two flat electrodes, under different conditions. The value of the piezoelectric constants was measured by Berlincourt technique using a d33-meter (d33). The results of the measurements demonstrate a significant difference in piezoelectric response between unpoled and plasma-treated PVDF films, with respect to the d33 parameter. The dependence of the piezoelectric response (d33) on various parameters of the plasma polarisation process has been determined. A study of structural changes in ferroelectric film samples has been conducted using IR spectroscopy and DSC. AFM techniques, including Kelvin probe force microscopy (K-PFM) and piezoelectric force microscopy (PFM). Studies of the structure of PVDF film samples using IR spectroscopy and DSC techniques have revealed an increase in the proportion of the beta phase, which influences the piezoelectric characteristics of the films. Piezoelectric AFM data have also confirmed an improvement in piezoelectric performance.