Core–Shell Nanostructure Design in Polymer Nanocomposite Capacitors for Energy Storage Applications

Abstract

The ability to tune the interfacial layer in nanocomposites is attracting increasing interest due to its wide application in the field of nanoscale energy storage materials. However, most of the current interfacial modifiers are flexible coils collapsing on the surface of fillers. The interfacial layer thickness cannot be readily tailored. This work demonstrates an inspiring approach to design the interfacial layer of BaTiO3 nanowires and nanoparticles with poly­{5-bis­[(4-trifluoro-methoxyphenyl)­oxycarbonyl]­styrene} (PTFMPCS). The PTFMPCS is a kind of fluoric-liquid-crystalline polymer (LCPs) that possesses polymer-chain rigidity and an orientated structure, which is useful to design the interfacial layer thicknesses of fillers. Four types of BaTiO3@PTFMPCS nanostructures are prepared and incorporated into a polymer matrix for capacitor applications. The experimental results show that the PTFMPCS interfacial layer thicknesses are precisely controlled and in good agreement with the theoretically predicted thicknesses. In addition, the performance of the nanocomposites are obviously affected by the PTFMPCS interfacial layer thickness, e.g., the discharge energy density of the nanocomposites with a 14.8 nm thickness of the PTFMPCS layer increased by 8.5% than with 9.2 nm, which reaches to 14.64 J/cm3. The findings provide an innovative way to design the interfacial layer thickness in various nanostructured materials for applications related to energy storage.

Interface design for high energy density polymer nanocomposites

“…A novel liquid-crystalline polymer PTFMPCS was also investigated by introducing fluoro-atoms into the PMPCS to engineer the surfaces of BaTiO 3 nanoparticles. 107, 201,202 As a result, a significantly improved energy density was achieved by accurate interfacial control using this fluoro-polymer in a polymer nanocomposite. Subsequently, a series of fluoro-liquidcrystalline polymers with three to seven fluoro-atoms were prepared, which were used to engineer the surface of BaTiO 3 platelets and nanoparticles and modulate the performance of the composites.…”

The search for enhanced dielectric strength of polymer‐based dielectrics: A focused review on polymer nanocomposites

“…(e) Representative TEM of 22% v/v HNP PS@BaTiO 3 , demonstrating evidence of fractal‐like structure. [ 191 ] This is an Open Access article permitting unrestricted use [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com]…”

“…A high discharge energy density of 14.64 J/cm 3 was obtained due to the combination of a high polarization with high breakdown strength of the nanocomposites. [ 184,194 ] The energy efficiency decreased from 93.64 to 56.64% as the BT loading increased from 0 to 50 vol%, which is related to the enlarged P‐E loop. This novel approach may provide an inspiring path for various nanostructured materials; however appropriate organic modifiers and chemical reaction processes may prevent the contributions of interfacial polarization and residual mobile organic species.…”

Ternary polymer nanocomposites with concurrently enhanced dielectric constant and breakdown strength for high‐temperature electrostatic capacitors

“…It is well recognized that K and breakdown strength show a negative correlation in conventional dielectric materials. Numerous efforts such as construction of the core-shell structured fillers [42][43][44] and design of multilayered films [45][46][47][48][49] have been performed to enhance both K and breakdown strength of dielectric composites. However, the complex fabrication processes limit scalability of these approaches.…”