Enhanced high-temperature energy storage performances in polymer dielectrics by synergistically optimizing band-gap and polarization of dipolar glass.

Yang, Minzheng; Ren, Weibin; Jin, Zenghui; Xu, Erxiang; Shen, Yang · Nat Commun · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Polymer dielectrics play an irreplaceable role in electrostatic capacitors in modern electrical systems, and have been intensively studied with their polarization and breakdown strength (E<sub>b</sub>) optimized for high discharged energy density (U<sub>d</sub>) at elevated temperatures. Small molecules have been explored as fillers, yet they deteriorate thermal stability of matrix which limits their optimal loading to ~1 wt%. Herein, we develop a polymer blend dielectric consisting of common polyimide and a bifunctional dipolar glass polymer which are synthesized from two small molecule components with wide band-gap and large dipole moment. The bifunctional dipolar glass with large molecular weight not only maintains thermal stability of polymer blends even at a high loading of 10 wt%, but also induces substantial enhancement in polarization and E<sub>b</sub> than any of individual components does, achieving an ultrahigh U<sub>d</sub> of 8.34 J cm<sup>-3</sup> (150 °C) and 6.21 J cm<sup>-3</sup> (200 °C) with a charge-discharge efficiency of 90%.