From scientific and technological points of view, poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, is one of the most exciting polymers due to its overall physicochemical characteristics. This polymer can crystalize into five crystalline phases and can be processed in the form of films, fibers, membranes, and specific microstructures, being the physical properties controllable over a wide range through appropriate chemical modifications. Moreover, PVDF-based materials are characterized by excellent chemical, mechanical, thermal, and radiation resistance, and for their outstanding electroactive properties, including high dielectric, piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and ferroelectric response, being the best among polymer systems and thus noteworthy for an increasing number of technologies. This review summarizes and critically discusses the latest advances in PVDF and its copolymers, composites, and blends, including their main characteristics and processability, together with their tailorability and implementation in areas including sensors, actuators, energy harvesting and storage devices, environmental membranes, microfluidic, tissue engineering, and antimicrobial applications. The main conclusions, challenges and future trends concerning materials and application areas are also presented.

Poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, and its copolymers exhibit interesting properties for use as separator membranes in lithium-ion battery applications. This review presents the developments and summarizes the main characteristics of these materials for battery separator membranes. The review is divided into three categories regarding the composition of the polymer membranes: single polymers, polymer composites and polymer blends. For each category, the main characteristics for battery separator membranes and the ion transport behaviour is presented. Finally, guidelines for further investigations are outlined.