High field properties and energy storage in nanocomposite dielectrics of poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene)
Abstract
Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) has generated interest for use in electrical energy storage, mostly due to its high dielectric constant compared to other polymers. There still exist challenges, such as its high energy losses, that have prevented large scale commercialization of PVDF-based capacitors, but progress is continuously being made. In this paper we explore a promising route to improve the energy storage performance of PVDF, through a synergy of HFP comonomers and of kaolinite clay nanofillers. This study shows that the addition of these high aspect ratio fillers to poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) [P(VDF-HFP)] copolymers does not increase the polar phase and, consequently, these composites exhibit markedly enhanced dielectric properties at high electric fields. Specifically, strained films of these composites exhibit reduced high field losses, markedly increased breakdown strength and, thus, large recoverable energy density values, in the range of 19 J/cm3.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Applied Physics
- Pub Date:
- August 2011
- DOI:
- 10.1063/1.3609082
- Bibcode:
- 2011JAP...110d4107T
- Keywords:
-
- clay;
- dielectric losses;
- dielectric thin films;
- electric breakdown;
- filled polymers;
- high field effects;
- nanocomposites;
- nanofabrication;
- permittivity;
- polymer blends;
- 72.20.Ht;
- 77.22.Ch;
- 77.22.Gm;
- 77.22.Jp;
- 77.84.Lf;
- 77.55.-g;
- High-field and nonlinear effects;
- Permittivity;
- Dielectric loss and relaxation;
- Dielectric breakdown and space-charge effects;
- Composite materials