Piezo Polymer 

What is piezoelectricity?

Piezoelectricity is the ability of certain materials to generate an electrical charge in response to applied mechanical stress. This phenomenon occurs in materials like crystals (quartz), ceramics, and polymers (such as PVDF). The term "piezoelectric" comes from the Greek word "piezein," meaning to press or squeeze.

When a piezoelectric material is subjected to mechanical forces, it produces an electrical signal. Conversely, applying an electrical field can cause the material to deform. This dual effect makes piezoelectric materials useful in sensors, actuators, and energy harvesting devices. Applications include ultrasound transducers, accelerometers, and wearable devices.

Piezoelectric Polymer 

Among the numerous piezoelectric polymers, PVDF offers a unique combination of high piezoelectric sensitivity, flexibility, chemical resistance, and ease of production. These properties make it the go-to material for applications in diverse fields like healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics. Its balance of performance, versatility, and cost makes it the preferred choice in both established and emerging markets for piezoelectric sensors and devices. 

PVDF Homopolymer

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is a semi-crystalline, non-centrosymmetric polymer known for its piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and ferroelectric properties. It is a linear polymer featuring permanent electric dipoles that are aligned perpendicular to the molecular chain, caused by the electronegativity difference between hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon atoms. PVDF can adopt various crystalline phases (α, β, γ, δ) depending on processing conditions, with the β phase demonstrating the most optimal ferroelectric and piezoelectric characteristics. 

P(VDF/TrFE) copolymer

The well-ordered polymer chains in poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF/TrFE)) copolymers, formed by strong dipoles from carbon-fluoride bonds, give rise to exceptional piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties. The β-phase forms naturally without the need for mechanical stretching or electrical poling, which is typically required for PVDF homopolymers. These materials maintain stable performance across a wide temperature range, making them ideal for advanced applications requiring consistent piezoelectric and ferroelectric behavior. 

Properties

PVDF Homopolymer

P(VDF/TrFE) Copolymers


Compared to PVDF homopolymer, P(VDF/TrFE) copolymers offer significant advantages:

Products

Piezo Polymer Film and Coating

Piezo Cable Sensor

Applications

PVDF Homopolymer: Ideal for sensors, actuators, and membranes operating in extreme environments, such as oil and gas exploration, aerospace, and medical devices, due to its excellent chemical and thermal resistance.

P(VDF/TrFE) Copolymers: Perfect for advanced applications including wearable sensors, flexible electronics, non-volatile memory devices, ultrasound transducers, and energy-harvesting devices, due to their superior piezoelectric properties and flexibility.