Polymer/liquid crystal nanocomposites for energy storage applications

High-dielectric constant (high-K) polymer nanocomposites based on nematic liquid crystals and CaCu3Ti4O12(CCTO) nanoparticles have been prepared. The host matrix is polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) in which LC (E7) droplets are dispersed in different polymer blends ratios of poly vinyl chloride/poly aniline (PVC/PANI). The PDLC (PVC/PANI/E7) in the appropriated ratios; (90/10/5), (75/25/5), and (50/50/5) were composited with 10 wt% CCTO nanoparticles. The IR spectra recorded for the PDLC nanocomposites present a spectrum similar to that of pure PDLC but with a slight shift of the peak positions. The addition of PANI and CCTO to PDLC enhances the thermal stability of the nanocomposites. SEM demonstrates agglomerates of CCTO dispersed in the polymer textures. Moreover, the addition of E7 facilitates the integration of PANI in PDLC matrix. The broadband dielectric spectrum shows high-frequency relaxation in addition to low-frequency interfacial polarization (Maxwell-Wagner type polarization). Besides, epsilon ' at 50 Hz is in the order of 10(5)for PDLC/CCTO (50/50/5/10) nanocomposite. In addition, the computed energy density is found to be 74.66 J/cm(3). This presumed ratio could be accentuated as a potential candidate for energy storage application with respect to the considerations of device fabrications.