Pluronic F127-modified BaTiO3 for ceramic/polymer nanocomposite dielectric capacitor with enhanced energy storage performance

Ceramic/polymer nanocomposites have been extensively explored for dielectric capacitor application due to their high energy storage performance and ease of processing, flexibility, and low cost. However, improving compatibility between inorganic and organic materials is of great significance and has been a long-standing challenge. In this work, the polymer surfactant Pluronic (TM) F127 was employed to perform surface modification of BaTiO3 through a facile solution process. The compatibility between BaTiO3 nanoparticles and P (VDF-HFP) can be remarkably strengthened by the affinity between F127 polymer chains and the organic matrix. Structural defects such as pores, cracks, and agglomeration of inorganic particles were obviously reduced, and interfacial polarization has been significantly enhanced. The discharged energy density U-d and charge-discharge efficiency eta reach up to 5.0 J/cm(3) and 58.1% under the breakdown strength of 3740 kV/cm for the nanocomposite containing 1 vol% BT@F127. These dielectric properties are clearly better than the nanocomposite using unmodified BT, as well as similar hybrids reported previously.