The Influence of Preparation Conditions on the Surface Morphology of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Films
Marcel Benz, William B. Euler*, Otto J. Gregory, Langmuir, 2001, 17, 539-543.
Abstract
The 
phase (or form II) of
poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVF2
produced from an acetone/N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) solution gave different surface morphologies depending on
the solvation temperature of the PVF2 solution, the DMF concentration, and
the relative humidity when deposited onto a smooth silicon substrate. Solutions prepared at less than
30 °C always gave rise to transparent films. However, solutions prepared at temperatures greater than
50 °C resulted in a rough and opaque, white surface when depositing at high humidity and in a transparent
film when depositing at low humidity. The aging behavior of the polymer solutions as measured by the viscosity
revealed an enormous dependence on the DMF concentration. Optical light and atomic force microscopies and
infrared spectroscopy characterized the differences of these film surfaces.