Argonne

In the literature about PVDF, we discovered evidence that the pyroelectric effect in PVDF-TrFE films could be substantially enhanced through a process called Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) deposition. Since we had access to this technique, we wrote a proposal to Argonne National Lab to compare the crystal structure of LB-deposited and spin-coated films of PVDF-TrFE by using the Advanced Photon Source (APS). We received funding and traveled to Sector 8-ID to perform grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) and grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS). 

 

Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) deposition

Although our multi-layered LB films were not reproducible, the single-layered film showed high crystalline orientation -- a result which could result in enhanced alignment of dipoles in LB-films. 

 

 

Spin Coating Deposition

In spin-coated films, an increased spin-speed resulted in increased crystallographic orientation. This implies that, through proper control of spin-coating techniques, we may be able to enhance the pyroelectric effect in spin-coated films by modifying crystallographic alignment.

 

 

Film Thickness

Once the crystal structure were compared between the two deposition method, the thickness of the films were measured to compare the differences in conductivity.