The influence of self-assembly behavior of nanoparticles on the dielectric polymer composites

To clearify the influence of the distribution of the conductive nanoparticles on the dielectric properties of the corresponding polymer composites, the microstructure and dielectric character of the composites based on the oleic acid modified ferroferric oxide and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer have been studied experimentally. It is found that these composites exhibit a normal percolative phase transition over the filler content from insulator to conductor, consistent with the classical percolation theory. However, when the percentage of fillers is at a certain value which is below the percolation threshold, these nanoparticles can assemble into a special porous structure in the PVDF matrix, associated with the enhancement of dielectric constant at low frequency. In addition, the controllable dispersion of conducting nanoparticles in a polymer matrix can prevent premature agglomeration at low filling fractions and avoid the appearance of anomalously early percolation. Therefore, the self-assembly behavior of nanoparticles can be beneficial to preparation of the high dielectric constant and low loss composites for the application of electric energy storage.