Enhancement in the energy storage performance of P(VDF-HFP)-based composites by adding PLZST inorganic nanoparticles

Inorganic filler/polymer matrix composites with excellent energy storage performance are important components of thin-film capacitors and basic materials in power-electronics systems. In this work, Pb_0.96La_0.04[(Zr_0.55Sn_0.45)_0.92Ti_0.08]_0.99O₃ antiferroelectric inorganic nanoparticles with a high dielectric constant and high electrical displacement were used as fillers and compounded with a P(VDF-HFP) polymer to obtain PLZST/P(VDF-HFP) nanocomposites. The experimental results showed that the introduction of PLZST antiferroelectric inorganic nanoparticles not only optimized the microstructure, but it also clearly improved the dielectric response, breakdown strength, and DC resistivity, while reducing the loss and remnant displacement, eventually resulting in remarkable improvement in the energy storage performance of the PLZST/P(VDF-HFP) composite materials. In particular, the 0.5 vol% PLZST/P(VDF-HFP) composite showed the highest breakdown electric field of ∼510 MV m⁻¹ and achieved the highest energy storage density and efficiency: 15.83 J cm⁻³ and 74.17%, respectively. Compared with the properties of pristine P(VDF-HFP) (U_e = 7.73 J cm⁻³ and η = 55.33%), the energy storage density and efficiency were increased 2.05- and 1.34-fold, respectively. This research demonstrated that antiferroelectric inorganic fillers/polymer-based composites have potential applications in the field of polymer-based film capacitors.