Large Enhancement in Polarization Response and Energy Storage Properties of Poly(vinylidene fluoride) by Improving the Interface Effect in Nanocomposites

A novel strategy to improve the interface effect of BaTiO3 (BT)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposites is developed to achieve high energy density. The surface of BT is first hydroxylated by H2O2, then modified with a titanate coupling agent DN-101. BT modified with DN-101 is also considered as a control group. Results show that the polarization response of nanocomposites with 10 vol % H2O2-DN-101-BaTiO3 (D-h-BT) is largely enhanced, which is 18% bigger than that of the nanocomposites with 10 vol % DN-101-BaTiO3 (D-BT) at 240 MV m–1. The dielectric breakdown strength is also improved from 240 MV m–1 of nanocomposites with 10 vol % D-BT to 260 MV m–1 of nanocomposites with 10 vol % D-h-BT, which makes the maximum stored energy density increase from 6.5 to 9.01 J cm–3, and the discharged energy density of the composites improved from 3.01 to 4.31 J cm–3. The findings based on this research are applicable to various nanofillers and polymer matrix, which provides a simple but effective way for nanocomposites with enhanced dielectric properties in next-generation electric and electronic industry.