Epoxy-based nanocomposites for electrical energy storage. II: Nanocomposites with nanofillers of reactive montmorillonite covalently-bonded with barium titanate

Abstract

Barium titanate ͑BT͒ and montmorillonite ͑MMT͒ nanoparticles were covalently-bonded by organically modifying the particle surfaces and chemically reacting them in solution. These integrated two-material hybrid inorganic nanofillers were subsequently dispersed in epoxy resin and nanocomposites were obtained at several weight fractions. The inorganic component consisted of well dispersed BT spherical nanoparticles that are surrounded by attached layered MMT nanoplatelets, with the latter having the ability to react with the epoxy matrix. The thermodynamic properties of the glass transition process, the macroscopic mechanical properties of the nanocomposites, and the dynamics of the polymer segments at the inorganic interfaces, all indicate that this filler configuration enhances the polymer-ceramic interfaces. Polarization as a function of electric field and dielectric breakdown show improvements in the electrical properties of these composites, compared to the corresponding unfilled epoxy, despite the expected reduction in crosslinking density. The resulting nanocomposites have a property set which can be utilized in energy storage and power system applications.

Scalable superhydrophobic coatings based on fluorinated diatomaceous earth: Abrasion resistance versus particle geometry

“…The reported coatings were fabricated using the same particle, binder and solvent concentrations and therefore the observed different morphologies arise from the particle's geometry. Further enhancement in the durability of the coatings may be possible by utilizing polymer binders that exhibit better adhesion properties and are thermodynamically compatible with the organic phase on the surface of the particles [32,33].…”

Polymer-Based Dielectrics with High Energy Storage Density

“…The most desirable approach to maximize the energy density in nanocomposites is to achieve concurrent enhancement of the electrical polarization and dielectric breakdown strength. To this end, Polizos et al (100) prepared inorganic nanofillers consisting of well-dispersed BaTiO 3 spherical nanoparticles surrounded by covalent-bonded oMMT nanoplatelets, with the latter having the ability to react with the epoxy matrix and significantly reducing the detrimental effects of the high-permittivity fillers on the high-field performance of the composites. The BaTiO 3 nanoparticles increased the polarization by >40% over the nanocomposites solely filled with oMMT.…”

Ultrahigh Energy Density of Polymer Nanocomposites Containing BaTiO3@TiO2 Nanofibers by Atomic‐Scale Interface Engineering

“…For these reasons, novel approaches have recently been proposed for the concurrent enhancement of E B and D of polymer nanocomposites. To compensate the decrease in E B caused by the introduction of BaTiO 3 nanoparticles of high ε r , two-dimensional montmorillonite [ 13 ] or hexagonal boron nitride [ 14 ] nanosheets are employed for their capability of improving E B of polymer matrix. In these ternary polymer nanocomposites, the synergistic infusion of the dual fi llers gives rise to enhanced energy density of polymer nanocomposites, although high loading of the dual fi llers (>27 wt%) are still needed.…”