Modified Polymer with High Permittivity for High Energy Storage Application

New dielectric materials for large pulsed power capacitors that show good processability, high thermal performance (> 120C) and storage capability of more than 10 J/cc are needed for future naval vessels. Current state-of-the-art capacitors are polypropylene based and deliver 1 J/cc. Even though polypropylene has a low dielectric constant of about 2, the superior storage capabilities are due to its high breakdown voltage and low losses. In this Phase I SBIR project, Lynntech will prepare nanostructured ceramic/polymer composite materials through a simple and scalable solution casting process. Solution casting will offer the ability to pattern electrodes in selected regions with controllable thickness of surface materials and is a cost effective industrial process. On the other hand, the nanofiller and the polymer will act cooperatively to improve the dielectric properties of the composite material. The surface functionalization of an inorganic nanofiller, having high dielectric constant and low losses, will increase its wetability with selected polymer/copolymer host materials, leading to a solution cast composite with good uniformity, and improved dielectric properties. Due to the good delamination and dispersion of nanofiller within the polymer, only a very low loading (< 12%) of inorganic material will be needed to have superior storage capabilities.