Excellent dielectric properties of polymer composites based on core-shell structured carbon/silica nanohybrid

Polymer based composites with high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss were fabricated by dispersing core-shell structured carbon/silica nanohybrid (CS) into a poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix. Due to the high conductive carbon core, nonconductive silica shell and the good dispersion of the CS fillers in PVDF, the CS/PVDF composites exhibited better dielectric properties than most nano-carbon materials/polymer composites. These experimental results can be understood by the percolation theory and microcapacitor model. Our strategy provides a pathway to achieve nano-carbon materials/polymer composites with good dielectric performances. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.