Chapter 1 -- Basics of Polymers and Polymer Nanocomposites as Dielectric Materials

Abstract

When the polymer has a flexible chain structure, this polymer could develop into highly ordered crystal structures. However, for polymer materials, it is very difficult to achieve 100% crystallinity. Thus, semi-crystalline polymer is usually used to name this group of polymer materials. Several factors hinder the formation of crystal phase in polymers, including double/triple bonds, bulky groups (such as phenyl groups), highly polar molecular structures, etc. These structures are able to stiffen the molecular chain structures and create obstacles for polymer chains to fold into crystal lamellae in polymer materials.