2D Boron Nitride Interlayer for Polymer Dielectric Enhancement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The propensity of boron nitride (BN) sheets to restack and their chemical inertness hinder their application as multifunctional materials despite their unique thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties, and existing capacitors use polymers with low dielectric properties due to processing constraints and low breakdown voltages.
Innovation Solution
The method involves trapping hexagonal boron nitride sheets at an interface of a phase-separated system of non-mixing solvents and integrating them into a polymer film, using a climbing technique to create composite films with increased dielectric constant and breakdown voltage, achieved by forming overlapping BN sheets as an interlayer within the polymer film.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If boron nitride sheets are used to improve dielectric properties, then dielectric constant and breakdown voltage increase, but the sheets tend to restack reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions BN sheets from bulk 3D stacks to 2D individual sheets by exfoliation, then anchors them at the 1D interface line between immiscible solvents. This dimensional reduction and localization prevents restacking by confining sheets to a specific spatial dimension (the interface) rather than allowing them to aggregate in 3D space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces immiscible solvents as an intermediary system to mediate BN sheet dispersion. The interface between these solvents acts as a mediator that naturally anchors the BN sheets, preventing direct sheet-to-sheet contact that would cause restacking. The solvent interface serves as a stabilizing intermediary environment.
2Use of energy by moving object
If high dielectric materials are used to improve capacitor performance, then energy storage increases, but processing constraints and low breakdown voltages limit their use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and distribution parameters of BN sheets by exfoliating them into individual sheets and anchoring them at the solvent interface. This parameter change from bulk to exfoliated state, combined with controlled positioning at the interface, enables processing of high-dielectric materials without the restacking problems that previously limited manufacturing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If BN sheets are exfoliated to prevent restacking, then individual sheets are obtained, but chemical inertness hinders further processing and integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent properties of BN sheets and the solvent interface system without requiring additional chemical modifications. The sheets self-anchor at the interface through physical interactions, and the system self-assembles the composite structure. This self-service approach works with the chemical inertness rather than against it, eliminating the need for functionalization while achieving stable integration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly enhances the dielectric and breakdown properties of polymer films, increasing energy storage capacity without requiring new polymers or capacitor configurations, and allows for the use of BN sheets at low loading levels, providing a cost-effective and scalable solution for improving current capacitors.
Implementation Method 1
trapping at least a portion of a layered material (e.g., hexagonal boron nitride sheets or layers) at an interface of a phase separated system (e.g., at an interface of two non-mixing solvents)
Implementation Method 2
trapping at least a portion of a layered material at an interface of a phase separated system
Implementation Method 3
use of boron nitride layers (e.g., hexagonal boron nitride layers) to increase the dielectric constant and breakdown voltage of polymer films
Implementation Method 4
The exemplary boron nitride films can be produced by a climbing technique described and disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,547 and 61/812,285
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides advantageous composite films/coatings, and improved methods for fabricating such composite films/coatings. More particularly, the present disclosure provides improved methods for fabricating composite films by trapping at least a portion of a layered material (e.g., hexagonal boron nitride sheets/layers) at an interface of a phase separated system and then introducing the layered material to a polymer film. The present disclosure provides for the use of boron nitride layers to increase the properties (e.g., dielectric constant and breakdown voltage) of polymer films. The exemplary films can be produced by an advantageous climbing technique. Exemplary boron nitride films are composed of overlapping boron nitride sheets with a total thickness of about one nanometer, with the film then transferred onto a polymer film, thereby resulting in significant increases in both dielectric and breakdown properties of the polymer film.