Nanometre-sized poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) particle domains in a conf
ined space were obtained by blending PVDF with excess poly(methyl methacryl
ate) (PMMA). When these particles were small enough they showed beta -form
structure, which was different from the structure of bigger particles or PV
DF bulk. However, the beta -form was thermodynamically metastable because i
t could eventually be transformed to a more stable phase by annealing at a
certain temperature. Larger particle domains were of identical phase to the
bulk, indicating that small size favours the formation of the beta -form.
(C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.