Macromolecular Architecture-Dependent Polymorphous Crystallization Behavior of PVDF in the PVDF/γ-BL System via Thermally Induced Phase Separation.

This study investigates the effect of the macromolecular architecture of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) on its thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) behavior and polymorphic crystallization in the PVDF/γ-butyrolactone (PVDF/γ-BL) system. Preparative PVDF fractions with specific macromolecular architecture and phase constitution are generated. The results show that PVDF's macromolecular architecture, particularly the degree of branching and regio-defects, plays a significant role in its temperature-dependent crystallization and resulting polymorphic phases.