Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based complex macromolecular architectures: From synthesis to properties and applications

This review highlights the synthesis, properties and applications, as well as the potential, of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based complex macromolecular architectures (CMAs), a class of materials that has not received much attention in the literature. PVDF, the second in production fluoropolymer, is an attractive material due to its outstanding properties (high thermal stability and chemical inertness) along with its piezo-, pyro- and ferro-electrical performance. Even though only a small number of reports on PVDF-based CMAs have been published, a growing interest in the synthesis/properties of non-linear structures (graft, miktoarm star, star and dendrimers) has emerged due to their potential for application in areas such as drug/gene delivery, electronics and energy harvesting devices. The aim of this review is to present primary strategies for the synthesis of PVDF-based polymer materials with CMAs and critically discuss strategies and opportunities that may facilitate their commercialization. It can be anticipated that PVDF-based CMA polymers will play a progressively important role in materials science and nanotechnology, both in academia and industry.