Unprecedented dipole alignment in α-phase nylon-11 nanowires for high-performance energy-harvesting applications.

ABSTRACT: Dipole alignment in ferroelectric polymers is routinely exploited for applications in charge-based applications. Here, we present the first experimental realization of ideally ordered dipole alignment in α-phase nylon-11 nanowires. This is an unprecedented discovery as dipole alignment is typically only ever achieved in ferroelectric polymers using an applied electric field, whereas here, we achieve dipole alignment in as-fabricated nanowires of 'non-ferroelectric' α-phase nylon-11, an overlooked polymorph of nylon proposed 30 years ago but never practically realized. We show that the strong hydrogen bonding in α-phase nylon-11 serves to enhance the molecular ordering, resulting in exceptional intensity and thermal stability of surface potential. This discovery has profound implications fo

SUBMITTER: Choi YS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7286685 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature