High pressure applications of ferroelectric polymers

Ferroelectric polymers are the most recent class piezoelectric and pyroelectric materials developed. The most common piezoelectric polymers are PVDF, based on the monomer CH2‐CF2 and copolymers PVDF with C2F3H. Techniques to process PVDF and P(VDF‐TrFE) copolymers such that their physical properties exhibit reproducibility approaching that of piezoelectric single crystals are presented. Instrinsic piezoelectric properties of such materials are presented in this paper. Under high hydrostatic pressure, piezoelectric polymers exhibit well defined piezoelectric response. Piezoelectric response of shock compresed PVDF film prepared with attention to mechanical and electrical processing exhibits precise, well defined reproducible behavior to 35 GPa. P(VDF‐TrFE) copolymers exhibit unqiue piezoelectric properties over a wide range of temperature depending on the compositions. Under high shock pressure loading, unique piezoelectric response is also observed. In particular, thickness can range from one micron up to more than one mm. Small and large area sensors can be prepared. Charge mode and current mode sensors are presented. These copolymers have the potential for new shock wave sensors with unique characteristics.