Comparative Spectroscopic Study of Poly(vinylidenefluoride‐ co ‐hexafluoropropylene)/Graphene Oxide Films and Fiber Mats

ABSTRACT Poly(vinylidenefluoride‐ co ‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP) and graphene oxide (GO) were utilized to produce four types of samples: PVDF‐HFP films, PVDF‐HFP/GO films, PVDF‐HFP fiber mats and PVDF‐HFP/GO fiber mats. The so‐obtained samples were characterized at room temperature by dielectric and Raman spectroscopies and the deduced results were compared with each other. Since the PVDF‐HFP/GO films were found to be electrically conductive, they were not included in the comparative dielectric characterization. The real part ε 1 of permittivity, the loss tangent tan 𝛿 and the ac electrical conductivity 𝜎 ac of PVDF‐HFP films, PVDF‐HFP fiber mats and PVDF‐HFP/GO fiber mats were analyzed as a function of frequency in the (10 3 ÷10 6 ) Hz range. The obtained dielectric data have suggested that in PVDF‐HFP films, PVDF‐HFP fiber mats and PVDF‐HFP/GO fiber mats the PVDF β‐phase is dominant. This suggestion was confirmed by the relative Raman spectra performed in the (380÷3250) cm −1 range. In PVDF‐HFP/GO films the β phase content decreased in favor of the α phase in disagreement with the literature, even if the presence of well‐defined D, G and 2D bands demonstrated that GO was successfully incorporated in PVDF‐HFP film. The performed dielectric and Raman spectra are presented and discussed.