Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)/Poly(vinylidene fluoride) as Guest/Host Polymer Blends: Understanding the Role of Compositional Transformation on Nanoscale Dielectric Behavior through a Simple Solution–Process Route

We report on the role of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) additives in PVP/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer blends on compositional transformation dependent dielectric behavior. Our results show that the dielectric performance is controlled by spherulite growth, dipole–dipole interaction, and porosity in PVP/PVDF blends. The breakdown strength, energy density, and efficiency of polymer blends was improved through reducing the content of the α-PVDF crystalline phase. The maximum energy density of 4.6 J cm–3 at 3369 kV cm–1 was obtained which was 77% and 283% higher than those of pristine PVDF and commercially available biaxially oriented polypropylene, respectively, and was further investigated by piezoforce microscopy.