Comparative Investigation by Infrared Spectroscopy of the Conformational Metamorphosis of Polyvinylidene Fluoride Under the Action of an Infrared Laser and of γ -Irradiation

The irradiation of a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) plate with γ-rays up to 100 kGy leads to the breaking of the chain and the formation of unsaturated bonds but practically does not have any effect on the conformation composition of PVDF macromolecules. The main conformer, as in native PVDF, is the β form. Irradiation with an IR laser leads to a noticeable carbonization of PVDF macromolecules and is accompanied by a structural transition of polymer macromolecules from the β conformer to the α conformer. In the IR spectrum of the powdered product from laser ablation of PVDF, in addition to the absorption bands of the ablation crater, absorption bands from the parent PVDF are still present.