Research Projects

Advanced dielectric materials with high permittivity (ε), enhanced dielectric breakdown strength (Eb), high energy storage density (Ue), and low dielectric loss (tan δ) are increasingly essential for modern electronic devices. Among the different types of dielectric materials, flexible solid dielectrics are gaining prominence due to the demand for lightweight, portable, and wearable electronics. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a semi-crystalline polymer, has emerged as a promising flexible dielectric due to its polar β along with excellent mechanical flexibility, thermal, and chemical stability. However, pristine PVDF suffers from low dielectric breakdown strength, high dielectric loss at high frequencies, and limited energy density and tunability. To overcome these challenges, the incorporation of functional nanofillers in PVDF matrix have shown great promise. In this regard, the hybrid nanocomposite strategy, combining optimized ratios of inorganic and conductive fillers with surface modification, can offer balanced enhancement in dielectric performance, mechanical integrity, and energy storage capabilities. This also helps in achieving uniform filler dispersion, phase transformation in PVDF, and improved interfacial polarization. This proposal aims to systematically investigate and develop PVDF-based advanced dielectric nanocomposites through an integrated approach towards the flexible energy harvesting and storage applications. State-of-the-art computational tools such as COMSOL Multiphysics, and Machine Learning (ML) models will be employed to predict the best compatible filler combinations. Experimentally, potential nanofillers with various morphologies will be synthesized and characterized using different material characterization techniques. Further, optimization of the synthesized nanofiller concentrations in the PVDF matrix will be analysed to improve their dielectric behaviour. The selected high-dielectric-performance films will be further evaluated for their applicability in energy harvesting devices i.e., piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENG) and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG). Additionally, their potential use as electrolytes in energy storage systems will be investigated. Overall, a holistic evaluation strategy will be adopted to analyze and improve the dielectric constant and energy storage density, along with the enhanced dielectric and mechanical breakdown strength, minimal dielectric losses, high flexibility and low fabrication cost of the PVDF films.