Persistent polarization in poly(vinylidene fluoride). III. Depolarization and pyroelectricity of poly(vinylidene fluoride) thermoelectrets

Persistent polarization in poly(vinylidene fluoride) thermoelectrets prepared under high electric field has been studied by measurements of depolarization and pyroelectricity. Various polarizations are examined in detail; the polarizations related to a characteristic molecular motion near 60°C and the polarizing temperature are not responsible for the major piezoelectric effect in β-form electrets. The piezoelectricity is attributed to a polarization appearing near the melting temperature. The persistent polarization corresponding to d₃₁ of 2 × 10^?11 coul/N is about 5 × 10^?6 coul/cm². The pyroelectricity of β-form electrets is linearly correlated with the piezoelectricity.