Polyvinylidene fluoride in biomedical applications: Properties, challenges, and future prospects

Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) is becoming more widely acknowledged as a high-performance and versatile polymer, particularly in the biomedical sector. This review emphasizes the distinctive combination of properties that PVDF possesses, such as thermal stability, chemical resistance, piezoelectricity, and biocompatibility. PVDF has become the preferred material for applications in tissue engineering, wound healing, and drug delivery due to these properties. PVDF’s capacity to generate a variety of crystal phases, each with its own unique characteristics, is particularly critical for customizing its application in particular biomedical applications. The β-phase of PVDF is crucial for the development of sensors, actuators, and devices that necessitate efficient mechanical–electrical signal conversion due to its superior piezoelectric properties. In order to completely realize PVDF’s potential, it is necessary to resolve a number of challenges, despite its promising applications. These include the development of scalable manufacturing processes, the enhancement of biocompatibility and mechanical properties, the assurance of long-term stability in physiological environments, and the control of phase transformation to achieve the desired β-phase. Future research is expected to concentrate on the integration of smart materials, the development of hybrid composites, advanced surface modifications, and sustainable manufacturing practices. PVDF is anticipated to become more significant in the development of biomedical technologies as these obstacles are overcome.