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Polyvinylidene fluoride
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<p>Polyvinylidene fluoride or polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) is a highly non-reactive <a href="/facts/Thermoplastic/5KJB8dwN">thermoplastic</a> <a href="/facts/Fluoropolymer/lMxPIDGc">fluoropolymer</a> produced by the polymerization of <a href="/facts/1%2c1-Difluoroethylene/xoyVF5Pn">vinylidene difluoride</a>. Its chemical formula is (C2H2F2)<i>n</i>. </p><p>PVDF is a specialty <a href="/facts/Plastic/Kla5QItn">plastic</a> used in applications requiring the highest purity, as well as resistance to solvents, acids and hydrocarbons. PVDF has low density 1.78 g/cm3 in comparison to other fluoropolymers, like <a href="/facts/Polytetrafluoroethylene/jesBNXKq">polytetrafluoroethylene</a>. </p><p>It is available in the form of piping products, sheet, tubing, films, plate and an insulator for premium wire. It can be injected, molded or welded and is commonly used in the chemical, semiconductor, medical and defense industries, as well as in <a href="/facts/Lithium-ion_battery/3L22xFhB">lithium-ion batteries</a>. It is also available as a <a href="/facts/Cross-link/zeQ9hEAA">cross-linked</a> <a href="/facts/Closed-cell_foam/kGrXWWcb">closed-cell foam</a>, used increasingly in aviation and aerospace applications, and as an exotic 3D printer filament. It can also be used in repeated contact with food products, as it is FDA-compliant and non-toxic below its degradation temperature. </p><p>As a fine powder grade, it is an ingredient in high-end paints for metals. These PVDF paints have extremely good <a href="/facts/Gloss_paint/LSoFMVMS">gloss</a> and color retention. They are in use on many prominent buildings around the world, such as the <a href="/facts/Petronas_Towers/keNn41dn">Petronas Towers</a> in Malaysia and <a href="/facts/Taipei_101/0jMXvJgB">Taipei 101</a> in Taiwan, as well as on commercial and residential metal roofing. </p><p>PVDF membranes are used in <a href="/facts/Western_blot/YEr6huPC">western blots</a> for the immobilization of proteins, due to its non-specific affinity for amino acids. </p><p>PVDF is also used as a binder component for the carbon electrode in <a href="/facts/Supercapacitors/JuJDlQCA">supercapacitors</a> and for other electrochemical applications. </p>