The effect of barium titanate (BaTiO₃) nanoparticles (particle size <100nm) on the ferroelectric properties of poly (vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene) P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer has been studied. Different concentrations of nanoparticles were added to P(VDF-TrFE) using probe sonication, and uniform thin films were made. Polarisation - Electric field (P-E) hysteresis analysis shows an increase in remnant polarization (P_r) and decrease in coercive voltage (V_c). Piezo-response force microscopy analysis shows the switching capability of the polymer composite. The topography and surface roughness was studied using atomic force microscopy. It has been observed that this nanocomposite can be used for the fabrication of non-volatile ferroelectric memory devices.

We report the preparation, thermal and micro/nanomechanical behavior of poly (vinylidine diflouride) (PVDF)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites. It has been found that the addition of MWCNT considerably enhances the β-phase formation, thermal and mechanical properties of PVDF. Atomic force microscope (AFM) studies have been performed on the composites under stress conditions to measure the mechanical properties. The nanoscale mechanical properties of the composites like Young's modulus and hardness of the nanocomposites were investigated by nanoindentation technique. Morphological studies of the nanocomposites were also studied, observations show a uniform distribution of MWCNT in the matrix and interfacial adhesion between PVDF and MWCNT was achieved, which was responsible for enhancement in the hardness and Young's modulus. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies indicate that the melting temperature of the composites have been slightly increased while the heat of fusion markedly decreased with increasing MWCNT content.