Probing the multifunctional behaviour of barium zirconate/barium titanate/epoxy resin hybrid nanodielectrics

Journal article, 2020

In this study, hybrid composite nanodielectrics of epoxy resin and BaZrO3/BaTiO3 ceramic nanoparticles were prepared via a mixing process varying the filler content. Composites' morphology was studied via scanning electron microscopy, and in all cases, fine nanodispersions were detected. The electrical response of the employed nanofillers, as well as of the produced hybrid composite specimens, was examined by means of broadband dielectric spectroscopy in a wide temperature and frequency range. The thermally varying polarization of the embedded nanoparticles induces functionality to the prepared composite systems, due to the thermally triggered structural transitions of BaZrO3 and BaTiO3. Aiming to investigate these structural transitions, samples were studied by means of X-Ray diffraction with temperature as a parameter. Finally, the ability of the examined nanosystems to store and harvest energy under various conditions was determined and discussed in tandem with the mutual interactions of the occurring physical mechanisms at specific temperature ranges.