Polymer nanocomposites for electrical energy storage

• Published in: Journal of polymer science. Part B, Polymer physics Vol. 49; no. 20; pp. 1421 - 1429
• Main Authors: Wang, Qing, Zhu, Lei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 15.10.2011; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; capacitors; Ceramics; Composites; dielectric properties; Dielectrics; Electric fields; Energy density; Energy storage; Exact sciences and technology; ferroelectric polymers; ferroelectricity; Fillers; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; interfaces; Nanocomposites; nanoparticles; organic-inorganic interfaces; poly(vinylidene fluoride); Polymer industry, paints, wood; polymer nanocomposites; structure-property relations; Technology of polymers; Tuning; State of the art; energy density; interfaces; poly(vinylidene fluoride); Electrical properties; Energy storage capacitor; polymer nanocomposites; dielectric properties; Polymer; ferroelectric polymers; nanocomposites; ferroelectricity; organic―inorganic interfaces; capacitors; nanoparticles; Ferroelectric materials; Concentration effect; structure―property relations; Nanocomposite; Property structure relationship
• ISSN: 0887-6266; 1099-0488; 1099-0488
• DOI: 10.1002/polb.22337

This review highlights the frontier scientific research in the development of polymer nanocomposites for electrical energy storage applications. Considerable progress has been made over the past several years in the enhancement of the energy densities of the polymer nanocomposites via tuning the chemical structures of ceramic fillers and polymer matrix and engineering the polymer–ceramic interfaces. This article summarizes a range of current approaches to dielectric polymer nanocomposites, including the ferroelectric polymer matrix, increase of the dielectric permittivity using high‐permittivity ceramic fillers and conductive dopants, preparation of uniform composite films based on surface‐functionalized fillers, and utilization of the interfacial coupling effect. Primary attentions have been paid to the dielectric properties at different electric fields and their correlation with film morphology, chemical structure, and filler concentration. This article concludes with a discussion of scientific issues that remain to be addressed as well as recommendations for future research. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 49: 1421–1429, 2011 Polymer nanocomposites represent one of the most promising and exciting avenues for the development of dielectric materials with high energy densities for applications in advanced electronic devices and electric power systems. By judiciously selecting polymer matrix and nanoparticles and engineering organic–inorganic interfaces, the dielectric properties can be tuned and the energy density has been greatly improved in the polymer nanocomposites. This review presents an overview of the current strategies and general dielectric property–structure correlations.