Modified carbon nanotube composites with high dielectric constant, low dielectric loss and large energy density

Flexible dielectric polystyrene based composites containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were reported. The MWCNTs were coated with polypyrrole (PPy) by an inverse microemulsion polymerization. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy indicated that the MWCNTs were coated with PPy. Our composites presented a stable high dielectric constant (∼44), rather low loss (<0.07), and large energy density (up to 4.95 J cm⁻³). The largely-enhanced dielectric performance originates from the organic shell PPy, which not only ensure good dispersion of MWCNTs in the polymer matrix but also screen charge movement to shut off leakage current. Such MWCNT composites can be used to store charge and electrical energy and play a key role in modern electronics and electric power systems.