Effect of the polarity of KTa(1−x)Nb(x)O(3) on the dielectric performance of the KTN/PVDF nanocomposites

KTa(1−x)Nb(x)O(3) with different Ta/Nb ratios (x = 0.15, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 0.85) were engineered and prepared by a facile hydrothermal synthesis method to acquire KTN nanoparticles with varied polarity. To investigate the effect of KTN filler with varied polarity on the dielectric performance of polymer matrix composites, KTN/PVDF films were fabricated. The experiment demonstrated the polarity of KTN affected the dielectric performance of the composites. KTa(0.5)Nb(0.5)O(3) possesses larger polarity with permittivity of 3780 at 1 kHz due to its Curie temperature is closer to room temperature, which contributes 30 wt% doped KTa(0.5)Nb(0.5)O(3)/PVDF composite achieving higher permittivity of 19.5 at 1 kHz than those of the others. Additionally, KTa(0.75)Nb(0.25)O(3)/PVDF composite presents higher breakdown strength than those of the others with an E(b) value of 164 kV mm(−1) when 20 wt% filler is doped. The significant improved dielectric performance by Ta/Nb ratio engineering has the potential of providing new insight on enhancing the energy storage in ceramic-polymer nanocomposites.