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

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_b) optimized for high discharged energy density (U_d) 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_b than any of individual components does, achieving an ultrahigh U_d of 8.34 J cm⁻³ (150 °C) and 6.21 J cm⁻³ (200 °C) with a charge-discharge efficiency of 90%.