International Journal of Advanced Engineering Application

Dielectric Properties, Breakdown Strength and Thermal Stability of PVDF-Based Nanocomposite Films Incorporating Barium Titanate and Reduced Graphene Oxide for High-Energy-Density Capacitor Applications

Author(s):Priya Venkataraman, Arun Krishnamurthy, and Meenakshi Sundaram

Affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Page No: 36-40

Volume issue & Publishing Year: Volume 3, Issue 6, 2026/06/07

Journal: International Journal of Advanced Engineering Application (IJAEA)

ISSN NO: 3048-6807

DOI:

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Abstract:
Polymer nanocomposite dielectrics combining high-permittivity ceramic fillers with flexible polymer matrices represent a leading materials strategy for the next generation of high-energy-density film capacitors required by compact power electronics, electric vehicle (EV) inverters, and pulsed-power systems. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), with its intrinsically high dielectric permittivity (εr ≈ 8–12) among thermoplastic polymers and good film-forming processability, is the leading matrix candidate; however, the simultaneous achievement of high permittivity, low dielectric loss, high breakdown strength, and adequate thermal stability in PVDF nanocomposites remains an unresolved challenge due to the competing effects of filler loading on these properties. This study presents a systematic investigation of solution-cast PVDF nanocomposite films incorporating barium titanate (BaTiO₃) nanoparticles (100 nm, surface-functionalised with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, APTES) at 5, 10, and 20 wt% loading, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) platelets at 0.5 wt%, and a ternary PVDF/BaTiO₃(10 wt%)/rGO(0.5 wt%) hybrid. Films were characterised for dielectric permittivity and loss tangent (100 Hz–10 GHz via impedance spectroscopy), breakdown strength (Weibull-analysed, IEC 60243-1), glass transition and Curie transition temperatures (DSC), crystalline phase composition (XRD, FTIR), surface morphology (FESEM/TEM), and mechanical properties (tensile testing per ASTM D882). Energy storage density (Ue) and charge–discharge efficiency (η) were evaluated under electric fields up to 400 MV/m using a high-voltage pulse test system.
The ternary PVDF/BaTiO₃/rGO composite achieves εr = 34.8 at 1 GHz with tan δ = 10.3×10⁻³, representing a 314% permittivity enhancement over neat PVDF with only 25% loss increase. Weibull characteristic breakdown strength of 29.7 kV/mm is maintained within 5% of neat PVDF (28.4 kV/mm). Calculated recoverable energy density of 8.6 J/cm³ at 350 MV/m with charge–discharge efficiency of 82% represents the optimal performance among all compositions evaluated. FESEM confirms uniform BaTiO₃ dispersion with APTES coupling preventing agglomeration; FTIR analysis reveals increased β-phase PVDF crystallinity (from 41% to 68%) in the ternary composite — the electroactive phase critical for high permittivity.

Keywords: PVDF nanocomposite, barium titanate, reduced graphene oxide, dielectric permittivity, breakdown strength, energy storage density, film capacitor, β-phase, APTES, impedance spectroscopy, Weibull analysis, power electronics

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