Formation of nano-structured PVDF/PA11 blends using high shear processing and it's ferroelectricity

In this study, we propose a novel strategy using the high-shear processing and demonstrate for the first time the successful preparation of a nano-structured polymer blend, a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) / polyamide 11 (PA11) system, in which PA11 domains with a size of several tens of nanometers are dispersed in the PVDF phase. This type of nanodispersed structure of blends was the first example that was obtained using a simple mechanical blending method without adding compatibilizers. The domain size of the blend is superior to that of 350 nm which corresponds to the experimental and theoretical limits. This kind of nanostructured polymer blends has a unique combination of properties that is impossible to achieve with classical processing techniques. The remnant polarization in the D-E hysteresis curves of PVDF/PA11 = 80/20 blends was observed to increase as the screw rotation speed becomes larger.