Effect of poling on dissolution of a piezoelectric copolymer of vinylidene cyanide and vinyl acetate by dimethyl sulfoxide

The rates for dissolution of a piezoelectric copolymer of vinylidene cyanide and vinyl acetate by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) were measured. Different dissolution rates for the two opposing surfaces of the poled film were observed. The dissolution rates for the surface that was in contact with the negative electrode were larger than those for the opposite surface. The difference in the rates increased with increasing piezoelectricity. The result that dissolution is slow on the side that should strongly interact with DMSO is discussed.