Achieving high energy storage performance in BiFeO₃@TiO₂ filled PVDF-based composites with opposite double heterojunction via electric field tailoring

Polymer-based dielectric capacitors are well recognized for high energy density and efficiency. However, the energy density is restricted by the deterioration of breakdown strength with excessive addition of inorganic fillers. Herein, an innovative design of the lamellar-structured BiFeO₃@TiO₂ (BFO@TO) fillers is proposed and a small amount of BFO@TO is added into P(VDF-HFP)/PMMA blended polymer to fabricate BFO@TO-P(VDF-HFP)/PMMA composites, which delivers an outstanding energy density of 19.3 J cm⁻³ at 549.2 kV mm⁻¹. The filler possesses a BFO/TO/BFO triple-layered structure. Due to the different Fermi level, electrons are injected from TO into BFO to form electron accumulation layer and construct the heterojunction electric fields between TO and BFO layers. Heterojunction electric fields at two interfaces produced by the triple-layered structure are opposite. The opposite double heterojunction can withstand larger external electric field and improve the breakdown strength. Besides, BFO, as a narrow bandgap semiconductor, is easier for electrons and holes to separate, which further widens the width of the built-in electric field and reduces the dielectric breakdown. Electric field distribution simulations intuitively confirm the enhancement of the breakdown strength. The results provide an effective strategy to address the critical issue of improving the breakdown strength for high energy storage capability.