Enhancement of energy density in novel Ba0.67Sr0.33TiO3 nanorod array nanocomposites

The majority of the previously reported nanocomposites obtainable with higher energy density (>15 J cm−3) relies strongly on much higher breakdown strength (>4000 kV cm−1). The operation of capacitors in such higher applied electric field brings challenges because of the substantially increased the failure probability. In this study we explored the dispersibility and the orientation of fillers in nanocomposites as they play vital roles in the energy density. Based on the infinite element modulation results, an original design of 1–3 type composite structure was employed in the current study. This design adopts the one-dimensional (110)-oriented monodispersed barium strontium titanate Ba0.67Sr0.33TiO3 (BST) nanorod array as fillers embedded in the three-dimensional poly (−vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer matrix. With these originally designed BST/PVDF nanocomposites, we have demonstrated a significant enhancement of energy density at a lower applied electric field. For example, an energy density of 13.10 J cm−3 at electric field of 3400 kV cm−1 can be obtained, an enhancement of 3 times larger than that of bare PVDF. Moreover, the discharge efficiency is maintained at 69% at 3400 kV cm−1. The high performance of this originally designed nanacomposite demonstrated its potential application in the next generation energy storage devices.