High-k and High-Temperature Polymer Dielectrics for Electric Energy Storage and Organic Electrics

Dipolar glass polymers are attractive for high-k and low-loss dielectric applications because of the enhanced orientational polarization from highly dipolar groups, e.g., amide and sulfone groups. In this work, we explored the opportunity of side-chain dipolar glass polymers as advanced dielectric materials for polymer film capacitor and gate dielectric in organic electronics. We design a new class of high-temperature side-chain dipolar glass polymer, sulfonylated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (SO₂-PPO). No cooperative segmental motion or ferroelectric loss was observed for these side-chain dipolar glass polymers. Due to efficient rotation of highly polar methylsulfonyl side groups below the glass transition temperature (T_g ~ 220 °C), enhanced dipolar polarization and thus high dielectric constant of 6-8 was obtained for these SO₂-PPOs. The discharged energy density reached as high as 22 J/cm³. Due to its high T_g, the SO₂-PPO₂₅ film exhibited a low dielectric loss and low leakage current. These side-chain dipolar glass polymers are promising for high-temperature and low-loss electric energy storage and electronic applications.