Molecular Conformation and Packing of Poly(vinylidene fluoride). Stability of Three Crystalline Forms and the Effect of High Pressure

The formation of three crystalline forms of poly(vinylidene fluoride) was studied in detail by using an apparatus for heat treatments under high pressure up to 5000 atm. Form II consisting of TGTG-type molecular chains was the most stable under atmospheric pressure, and form I, composed of planar zigzag-type chains, was formed under special conditions, such as tension, high pressure, etc. Form III may be an intermediate modification between I and II. Based upon these experimental facts, as well as the potential energy calculations of the intra- and intermolecular interactions in the crystal lattices due to the van der Waals and electrostatic forces, the relation between the conditions of formation of the three forms and their structures was examined. The planar zigzag-type conformation (in forms I and III) is considered to be less stable than the TGTG type (form II) because of the steric hindrances and electrostatic dipole interactions. In spite of the difference in the intramolecular potential energy between these two molecular conformations, the stabilities of the three crystalline forms are not so very different because of the more favorable intermolecular interaction in form I.