Fluoro-Polymer@BaTiO₃ Hybrid Nanoparticles Prepared via RAFT Polymerization: Toward Ferroelectric Polymer Nanocomposites with High Dielectric Constant and Low Dielectric Loss for Energy Storage Application

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites with high energy density and low dielectric loss are highly desirable in electronic and electric industry. Achieving the ability to tailor the interface between polymer and nanoparticle is the key issue to realize desirable dielectric properties and high energy density in the nanocomposites. However, the understanding of the role of interface on the dielectric properties and energy density of polymer nanocomposites is still very poor. In this work, we report a novel strategy to improve the interface between the high dielectric constant nanoparticles (i.e., BaTiO3) and ferroelectric polymer [i.e., poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoro propylene)]. Core–shell structured BaTiO3 nanoparticles either with different shell thickness or with different molecular structure of the shell were prepared by grafting two types of fluoroalkyl acrylate monomers via surface-initiated reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The dielectric properties and energy storage capability of the corresponding nanocomposites were investigated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy and electric displacement-electric field loop measurement, respectively. The results show that high energy density and low dielectric loss are successfully realized in the nanocomposites. Moreover, the energy storage densities of the P(VDF-HFP)-based nanocomposites could be tailored by adjusting the structure and thickness of the fluoro-polymer shell. The approach described is applicable to a wide range of nanoparticles and polymer matrix, thereby providing a new route for preparing polymer-based nanocomposites used in electronic and electric industry.

Enhanced Energy Storage with Polar Vortices in Ferroelectric Nanocomposites

“…However, from a practical point of view, the energy density is determined by the processing method and quality of the film as failure is often driven by flaws. The current trend in searching for high energy density capacitors is to use polymer-matrix composites with ferroelectric fillers, combining high dielectric permittivity of the ceramic with high breakdown strength of the polymer [4][5][6][7]. Nanowires of Ba 0.2 Sr 0.8 O 3 nanocomposites have been reported to have an energy storage density as high as 14.86 J/cm 3 at 450 MV/m [8].…”

Theoretical Calculation of Polymeric Nano-Composite Interface: A Review

“…Polymer is the carrier of nano-fillers, and the mechanical, electrical and thermodynamic properties of PNC can be improved observably by the introduction of nano-fillers. The nano-fillers also has some functions properties, such as electricity [3], magnetism [4], piezoelectric [5], ferroelectric [6], low dielectric [7], and the PNC could possess both the advantages of the matrix and the fillers. The interfaces are the small areas between the polymer and the nano-fillers, which have important effect on the performance of the PNC [8].…”

Preparation of a hybrid core–shell structured BaTiO 3 @PEDOT nanocomposite and its applications in dielectric and electrode materials

“…Inorganic fillers, such as BaTiO 3 [18][19][20], TiO 2 [21], Fe 2 O 3 [22], and SiO 2 [23,24] have been modified by SI-ATRP. The obtained polymer modified ceramic particles not only show excellent compatibility with the polymer matrix but also greatly improve the dielectric performance of inorganic/polymer composites.…”