Abstract
Organic-inorganic hybrid composites consisting of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and SiO$_2$ were prepared through a sol-gel process and the crystallization behavior of PVDF in the presence of $SiO_2$ networks was investigated by spectroscopic, thermal and x-ray diffraction measurements. The hybrid composites obtained were relatively transparent, and brittleness increased with increasing content of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS). It was regarded from FT-lR and DSC thermal analyses that at least a certain interaction existed between PVDF molecules and the $SiO_2$ networks. X-ray diffraction measurements showed that all of the hybrid samples had a crystal structure of PVDF ${\gamma}$-phase. Fresh gel prepared from the sol-gel reaction showed a very weak x-ray diffraction peak near 2$\theta$=$21^{\circ}$ due to PVDF crystallization, and Intensity increased grade-ally with time after gelation. The crystallization behavior of PVDF was strongly affected by the amount of $SiO_2$ networks. That is, $SiO_2$ content directly influenced preference and disturbance fur crystallization. In polymer-rich hybrids, $SiO_2$ networks had a favorable effect on the extent of PVDF crystallization. In particular, the maximum portent crystallinity of PVDF occurred at the content of 3.7 wt% $SiO_2$ and was higher than that of pure PVDF. However. beyond about 10 wt% $SiO_2$, the crystallization of PVDF was strongly confined.