Optimizing energy harvesting performance of silicone elastomers by molecular grafting of azobenzene to the macromolecular network

Abstract

Homogeneous silicone rubber was prepared for DEG applications by molecular grafting of azobenzene to the polymer network. The energy conversion efficiency of the composite was optimized to 5.01%, increased by 150% compared to the matrix.

Largely improved generating energy density, efficiency, and fatigue life of DEG by designing TiO2/LNBR/SiR DE composites with a self-assembled structure

“…3,5 But, the VHB tape shows low electrical breakdown strength (E b , z30 kV mm À1 ) and high viscoelastic loss, which limits w max , power conversion efficiency (PCE) and fatigue life (N FL ) of the DEG. Up to now, many kinds of DE materials such as silicone rubber (SiR), [6][7][8][9][10][11] polyurethane (PU), [12][13][14] natural rubber (NR) 15 and poly(styrene-butadiene-styrene) (SBS) 16 have been employed as DEG materials for replacing the VHB tape. Among these materials, SiR is one of the most promising materials for the practical application of DEG due to its high electrical insulation, high E b (z60 kV mm À1 ), high elasticity and low elastic modulus (Y).…”

Dielectric properties and dielectric relaxation process of polymethylphenylsiloxane/silicon dioxide nanocomposites

“…1 They are widely used in artificial muscles, [2][3][4] touch displays, [5][6][7] robots, [8][9][10] and energy harvesting. [11][12][13] However, the low dielectric constant and low breakdown strength significantly limit the use of silicone rubber materials as dielectric materials.…”

“…Polysiloxane dielectric elastomers (DEs) has become a promising electrically active soft material because they have high efficiency, good weather resistance, good shear stability, low toxicity, and wide temperature range and are insensitive to air humidity 1 . They are widely used in artificial muscles, 2–4 touch displays, 5–7 robots, 8–10 and energy harvesting 11–13 . However, the low dielectric constant and low breakdown strength significantly limit the use of silicone rubber materials as dielectric materials.…”

p-Methoxy Azobenzene Terpolymer as a Promising Energy-Storage Liquid Crystal System

“…In addition, we have carried out theoretical calculations and ultrafast dynamics measurements to unveil the underlying mechanisms for the excitation and relaxation of the azobenzene group in MeOAzB-T. Other polymeric materials presented in Scheme 2 were also studied to explore the unique spectroscopic behavior of MeOAzB-T. Our aim is to correlate the light response of our materials to their molecular composition, as a way to optimize future light-harvesting azo-materials by tuning the electronic effects and local molecular assembly. 33 ■ EXPERIMENTAL METHODS Material Synthesis and Thermal Properties. The synthesis of the three terpolymers under study was carried out by conventional free-radical polymerization under an inert atmosphere, which, together with the monomer preparation, was previously described in detail.…”

“…In this work, we further explore the potential of MeOAzB-T as a light harvester by studying in detail its spectroscopic response after UV irradiation at different temperatures. In addition, we have carried out theoretical calculations and ultrafast dynamics measurements to unveil the underlying mechanisms for the excitation and relaxation of the azobenzene group in MeOAzB-T. Other polymeric materials presented in Scheme were also studied to explore the unique spectroscopic behavior of MeOAzB-T. Our aim is to correlate the light response of our materials to their molecular composition, as a way to optimize future light-harvesting azo-materials by tuning the electronic effects and local molecular assembly …”