Performance of dopamine modified 0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3-0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 filler in PVDF nanocomposite as flexible energy storage and harvester

Abstract

We demonstrate the potential of dopamine modified 0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3-0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 filler incorporated poly-vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite prepared by solution cast method as flexible energy storage and harvesting devices. Filler surface functionalization with dopamine acts as a bridging factor between the filler and the polymer matrix, resulting in better filler dispersion. The improved dielectric loss tangent (<0.02) and dielectric permittivity ranges from 9 to 34 are found beneficial for both energy harvesting and storage. Additionally, a significantly low DC conductivity (<10−9 ohm−1cm−1) for all composites was achieved leading to an improved breakdown strength and charge accumulation capability. Maximum breakdown strength of 134 kV/mm and corresponding energy storage density 0.72 J/cm3 were obtained from the filler content 10 wt%. The improved energy harvesting performance was characterized by obtaining a output voltage (Vout) = 1.84 V along with maximum power density of 11.4 µW/cm3 for the filler content of 10 wt% of the poled sample. Thus, the results show 0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3-0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3/PVDF composite has the potential for energy storage and harvesting applications that can significantly suppress the excess energy loss arises while utilizing different material.