Development of Lead-Free Nanowire Composites for Energy Storage Applications

Abstract

There is an increasing demand to improve the energy density of dielectric capacitors for satisfying the next generation material systems. One effective approach is to embed high dielectric constant inclusions such as lead zirconia titanate in polymer matrix. However, with the increasing concerns on environmental safety and biocompatibility, the need to expel lead (Pb) from modern electronics has been receiving more attention. Using high aspect ratio dielectric inclusions such as nanowires could lead to further enhancement of energy density. Therefore, this paper focuses on the development of a lead-free nanowire reinforced polymer matrix capacitor for energy storage application. Lead-free sodium niobate nanowires (NaNbO 3 ) were synthesized using hydrothermal method, followed by mixing them with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix using a solution-casting method for nanocomposites fabrication. Capacitance and breakdown strength of the samples were measured to determine the energy density. The energy density of NaNbO 3 /PVDF composites was also compared with that of lead-containing (PbTiO 3 /PVDF) nanocomposites and previously developed Pb(Zr 0.2 Ti 0.8 )O 3 /PVDF composites to show the feasibility of replacing lead-containing materials. The energy density of NaNbO 3 /PVDF capacitor is comparable to those of lead-containing ones, indicating the possibility of expelling lead from high-energy density dielectric capacitors.

Temperature influence on dielectric energy storage of nanocomposites

“…Several different ceramic filler materials have been employed to fabricate a dielectric capacitor: barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ), lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 ), silicone nitrate (Si 3 N 4 ), silicon oxide (SiO 2 ), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), zinc oxide (ZnO), lead titanate (PbTiO 3 ) and lead zirconate titanate (Pb(Zr x Ti 1À x )O 3 ) [5]. Amongst many ceramic materials, barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ), a ferroelectric ceramic, is the most commonly used due to its stable properties, high relative dielectric permittivity, piezoelectric characteristics, polycrystalline form and compliance with the environmental safety policies [2,6,7]. PVDF is the most commonly used polymer dielectric materials due to its spontaneous polarization, which results in higher relative dielectric permittivity and higher breakdown strength [8,9].…”

“…To mitigate this issue, the approach of fabricating nanocomposites has been implemented by many researchers aiming at combining the high relative dielectric permittivity of ceramic and the high breakdown strength of polymer. With this approach, dielectric capacitors can be manufactured by inclusion of ceramic filler materials with higher relative dielectric permittivity into polymer matrix that has higher breakdown strength in order to achieve a higher energy density capacitor [2][3][4]. Several different ceramic filler materials have been employed to fabricate a dielectric capacitor: barium titanate (BaTiO 3 ), lithium niobate (LiNbO 3 ), silicone nitrate (Si 3 N 4 ), silicon oxide (SiO 2 ), aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3 ), zinc oxide (ZnO), lead titanate (PbTiO 3 ) and lead zirconate titanate (Pb(Zr x Ti 1À x )O 3 ) [5].…”

Synthesis and characterization of CeO2 nanoparticles on porous carbon for Li-ion battery

“…The ever-increasing demand for portable electronic devices, transportation, and energy storage for intermittent renewable energy sources (e.g., solar and wind powers) is the driving force behind the technological improvements of electrochemical energy storage devices such as batteries [1][2][3], capacitors [4][5][6], and super-capacitors [7]. Lithium-ion battery (LIB) is widely considered as the technology of choice due to its high energy density, lightweight and flexible design, and long lifespan [2,8].…”

Enhanced Energy Storage of Dielectric Nanocomposites at Elevated Temperatures

“…To mitigate this issue, a novel approach of fabricating nanocomposites has been implemented by many researchers to combine both the high relative dielectric permittivity of ceramics and the high breakdown strength of polymers in a capacitor with higher energy density. With this approach, dielectric capacitors can be manufactured by mixing ceramic filler materials with higher relative dielectric permittivity into polymer matrix that have higher breakdown strength to achieve a higher energy density capacitor . There are different ceramic filler materials which have been employed to fabricate a dielectric capacitor, that is , barium titanate (BaTiO), lithium niobate (LiNbO), silicone nitrate (SiN), silicon oxide (SiO), aluminum oxide (AlO), zinc oxide (ZnO), lead titanate (PbTiO), and lead zirconate titanate (Pb(ZrTi)O) .…”

“…There are different ceramic filler materials which have been employed to fabricate a dielectric capacitor, that is , barium titanate (BaTiO), lithium niobate (LiNbO), silicone nitrate (SiN), silicon oxide (SiO), aluminum oxide (AlO), zinc oxide (ZnO), lead titanate (PbTiO), and lead zirconate titanate (Pb(ZrTi)O) . Among various ceramic materials, barium titanate (BaTiO), a ferroelectric ceramic, is the most commonly used due to its stable properties, high relative dielectric permittivity, piezoelectric characteristics, polycrystalline form, and compliance with the environmental safety policy . Among the various types of polymer dielectric materials, polyimide (PI) has attained significant interest for fabrication of nanocomposites due to its higher breakdown strength (600 MV/m) and operation temperature (350C).…”