Giant Electrostriction via Nanodomain Engineering in Relaxor Ferroelectric Polymers

Zou, Qin; Rui, Guanchun; Wu, Siyu; Zhang, Honghu; Taylor, Philip L.; Zhu, Lei

doi:10.1021/acsnano.5c10388

Giant Electrostriction via Nanodomain Engineering in Relaxor Ferroelectric Polymers

Journal Article · Sat Aug 16 00:00:00 EDT 2025 · ACS Nano

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.5c10388· OSTI ID:2587574

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Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (United States)
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II)

Relaxor ferroelectric (RFE) polymers hold great promise for artificial muscles due to their high actuation strain, high loading stress, and fast response. However, the structural origin underlying their large electrostrictive deformation remains elusive. In this study, we investigate poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)]-based RFE terpolymers, incorporating 1,1-chlorofluoroethylene (CFE) or chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) (the terpolymers are denoted as terP-CFE and terP-CTFE, respectively) as termonomers. Although both terpolymers show similar semicrystalline morphology, drastically different electrostrictive properties are observed. Specifically, the terP-CFE annealed at 100 °C achieves a record-high transverse strain of ∼10.6%, whereas 100 °C-annealed terP-CTFE only shows a much lower actuation strain of ∼4.2% at the same poling field of 190 MV/m. To elucidate the origin of this difference, time-resolved wide-angle X-ray diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering, and Fourier transform infrared experiments are performed during in situ electric poling. An RFE-to-ferroelectric (FE) crystal phase transition is observed for terP-CFE but is absent for terP-CTFE. Beyond the contribution of the crystalline phase, the oriented amorphous fraction and crystalline defects (e.g., taut-tie molecules) also play significant roles in enhancing electrostriction. In conclusion, this mechanistic insight provides a valuable foundation for the rational design of next-generation RFE polymers with tunable properties through defect engineering of their semicrystalline structures.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF); National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0012704

OSTI ID:: 2587574

Report Number(s):: BNL--228859-2025-JAAM

Journal Information:: ACS Nano, Journal Name: ACS Nano Journal Issue: 33 Vol. 19; ISSN 1936-086X; ISSN 1936-0851

Publisher:: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
Crystals
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electrostriction
ferroelectric polymers
nanodomains
poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene)-based terpolymers
relaxor ferroelectric

Giant Electrostriction via Nanodomain Engineering in Relaxor Ferroelectric Polymers

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References (44)

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