Electric Field Dependence of Crystallinity in Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride)

It is shown that the crystallinity of poled films of poly(vinylidene fluoride) can be changed by the application of an electric field. This is the first time that electric-field-induced changes of crystallinity in a polymer have been reported, and this observation confirms the hypothesis that reversible changes in crystallinity with temperature contribute significantly to the pyroelectric effect in poly(vinylidene fluoride).