Surface functionalisation of carbon nanofiber and barium titanate by polydopamine to enhance the energy storage density of their nanocomposites

Abstract

Polymer composite dielectrics have attracted considerable attention as one of the most promising materials in the applications of electronic devices and pulse power systems owing to their high dielectric strength and excellent flexibility. To improve the dielectric permittivity, breakdown strength, and mechanical properties of BaTiO3 nanocomposite with PDMS matrix, polydopamine (PDA) is employed herein to functionalise both BaTiO3 and carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The results show substantial increase in the dielectric permittivity and dielectric breakdown strength of the resultant nanocomposites. The addition of CNFs contributed to further enhancement in dielectric and mechanical properties, due to the formation of micron-sized capacitors and the fillers bridging the cracks in the polymer nanocomposites. Therefore, PDA coating of nanofillers offers a new technique for fabricating polymer nanocomposite dielectrics with improved performance for the application of flexible dielectric electronics.