Submit to Polymers Review for Polymers Propose a Special Issue

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Polymeric Materials for Electrical Applications

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Related Special Issues
Published Papers

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2020) | Viewed by 25033

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Vicente Compañ Moreno

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor

Departamento de Termodinámica Aplicada, Universitat Politécnica de Valencia, C/Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: ionic exchange membranes; ionic conductivity, diffusivity, and mobility; polymeric membranes to applied energy devices; nanofibers; composite membranes; supported ionic-like liquids (SILLPs); membranes containing ionic liquids; modeling electrode polarization of ionic polymer electrolytes; computational conductivity studies in polymeric membranes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Jorge Escorihuela Fuentes

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor

Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain
Interests: organic chemistry; polymer electrolytes; ionic liquids (ILs); ionic-exchange membranes; ionic conductivity; electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS); mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs); membrane–electrode assembly (MEA); protonic-exchange membrane fuel cell applications (PEMFC); fuel cell performance; direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs); batteries; supercapacitors; composite membranes containing PEDOT; polypyrrol; graphene
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Alternative methods to generate electricity with high efficiency, minimum production of greenhouse gases, and reduced reliance on fossil fuels need to be sought to sustain a growing society.

Batteries and fuel cells have been proposed as potential candidates for various applications, such as transportation, distributed power, and portable devices. This Special Issue discusses the development of polymer electrolyte membranes and new materials for electrical applications. Polymer electrolytes are promising materials for a wide variety of applications in electrochemical devices, such as rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, electrodes, and others. It is known that ionic diffusivity in polymeric membranes is closely related to their structural dynamics controlled by the large-amplitude structural rearrangement of polymer segments, the transition temperature, the rigidity and fragility of polymers. During the last years, the main line of research in this area has been focused on the design of polymers to overcome the limitations of the materials currently available for this type of application. The majority of studies have been looking for polymers with good mechanical properties, excellent chemical stability, and high conductivity. The strategies followed have been: the design of mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) based on conductive polymers and the incorporation of nanofillers (zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), the use of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)), the increase of tortuosity and reduction of crossover, the use of nanofibers to improve the conductivity and mechanical properties, and the incorporation of ionic liquids (ILs) to increase the conductivity without the need to keep the polymer hydrated. In this Special Issue of Polymers, we wish to bring together works that can be a reference for the industry, for the present and future construction of devices using rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, electrodes, catalysts, and fuel cells. This Special Issue is for researchers and technologists interested in all aspects of the science, technology, and applications of sources of electrochemical power. It will feature original research papers and reviews about materials science, with applications linked to batteries, supercapacitors, proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) working at moderate and high temperatures, alcohol fuel cells (AFCs), phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFCs), solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), molten-carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs), microbial fuel cels (MFCs), and photo-electrochemical cells. Topics considered include the research, development, and applications of materials and novel components for these devices.

We invite scientists working in the area of polymeric materials to contribute to this Special Issue, through work related to: membranes, polymeric material selection, and catalysts design (membranes, anode, cathode, electrolytes, interconnections, sealants).

Electrochemical materials and mechanical characterization and properties;
Stack configuration and design;
Transport (proton, electron, mass transport);
Reliability and degradation;
Modelling;
Application of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, alcohol fuel cells, and microbiale fuel cells;
Batteries.

Prof. Dr. Vicente Compañ Moreno
Dr. Jorge Escorihuela Fuentes
Guest Editors

Related Special Issues

Advanced Polymeric Materials for Electrical Applications in Polymers (2 articles)
Polymeric Materials for Electrical Applications II in Polymers (1 article)

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

11 pages, 3254 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Solvent Vapor Annealing on Morphology and Charge Transport of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) Films Incorporated with Preformed P3HT Nanowires

by Mingu Jang, Yang-Il Huh and Mincheol Chang

Polymers 2020, 12(5), 1188; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym12051188 - 22 May 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4088

Abstract

We systematically studied the influence of solvent vapor annealing on the molecular ordering, morphologies, and charge transport properties of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) thin films embedded with preformed crystalline P3HT nanowires (NWs). Solvent vapor annealing (SVA) with chloroform (CF) was found to profoundly impact on the structural and morphological changes, and thus on the charge transport characteristics, of the P3HT-NW-embedded P3HT films. With increased annealing time, the density of crystalline P3HT NWs was increased within the resultant films, and also intra- and intermolecular interactions of the corresponding films were significantly improved. As a result, the P3HT-NW-embedded P3HT films annealed with CF vapor for 20 min resulted in a maximized charge carrier mobility of ~0.102 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, which is higher than that of pristine P3HT films by 4.4-fold (μ = ~0.023 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Electrical Applications)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

11 pages, 2820 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Significantly Improved Electrical Properties of Photo-Initiated Auxiliary Crosslinking EPDM Used for Cable Termination

by Zhong-Yuan Li, Wei-Feng Sun and Hong Zhao

Polymers 2019, 11(12), 2083; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym11122083 - 13 Dec 2019

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2695

Abstract

In order to achieve high quality electrical materials for cable terminations, the crosslinked ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM) materials, with adequate breakdown strength, appropriately increased conductivity and are developed by employing auxiliary crosslinker and ultraviolet (UV) photoinitiated crosslinking technique. The characteristic cyclic anhydrides with coupled carbonyl groups are utilized as auxiliary crosslinkers to promote crosslinking efficiency and provide polar-groups to EPDM molecules in UV-initiated crosslinking processes, which can be effectively fulfilled in industrial cable production. The results of infrared spectroscopy show that the auxiliary crosslinkers have been successfully grated to EPDM molecules through UV initiation process. The conductivity of EPDM increases after individually utilizing three auxiliary crosslinkers to EPDM at various temperatures of cable operations, by which the highest conductivity has been acquired by grafting N.N-m-phenylene dimaleimide. The first-principles calculations demonstrate that some occupied local electronic-states have been introduced in the band-gap of the EPDM crosslinked by N.N-m-phenylene dimaleimide (EPDM-HAV2), which can be thermally excited from valence band to conduction band at lower temperature or in higher density, leading to augmentation in electrical conductivity. Meanwhile, the breakdown strength achieves a significant improvement in consistency with the theoretical estimation that deeper hole-traps can be introduced by auxiliary-crosslinking modification, and will consequently increase breakdown strength through the trapping mechanism of space charge suppression. in relation to the appropriately increased conductivity, in combination with persistent breakdown strength, the finite element simulations of the electric field distribution in EPDM cable terminations suggest that the effectively homogenized electric field at the root of stress cone will be realized for EPDM-HAV2. The present study offers a fundamental strategy to ameliorate EPDM materials in the application of insulated cable accessories. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Electrical Applications)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 16264 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Characterization of Polymer Surfaces Subject to Corona Discharges in Controlled Atmospheres

by Andres R. Leon-Garzon, Giovanni Dotelli, Matteo Tommasini, Claudia L. Bianchi, Carlo Pirola, Andrea Villa, Andrea Lucotti, Benedetta Sacchi and Luca Barbieri

Polymers 2019, 11(10), 1646; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym11101646 - 10 Oct 2019

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2830

Abstract

Polymeric dielectrics are employed extensively in the power transmission industry, thanks to their excellent properties; however, under normal operating conditions these materials tend to degrade and fail. In this study, samples of low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, and polytetrafluorethylene were subjected to corona discharges under nitrogen and air atmospheres. The discharges introduced structural modifications over the polymer surface. From a chemical perspective, the alterations are analogous among the non-fluorinated polymers (i.e., polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)). A simulation of the corona discharge allowed the identification of highly reactive species in the proximity of the surface. The results are consistent with the degradation of insulating polymers in high-voltage applications due to internal partial discharges that ultimately lead to the breakdown of the material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Electrical Applications)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 8325 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fabrication of ZnO-Al₂O₃-PTFE Multilayer Nano-Structured Functional Film on Cellulose Insulation Polymer Surface and Its Effect on Moisture Inhibition and Dielectric Properties

by Cong Liu, Jian Hao, Yanqing Li and Ruijin Liao

Polymers 2019, 11(8), 1367; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym11081367 - 19 Aug 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3012

Abstract

After a century of practice, cellulose insulating polymer (insulating paper/pressboard) has been shown to be one of the best and most widely used insulating materials in power transformers. However, with the increased voltage level of the transformer, research has focused on improving the insulation performance of the transformer’s cellulose insulation polymer. Considering the complex environment of the transformer, it is not enough to improve the single performance of the insulating polymer. In this study, a nano-structured ZnO-Al₂O₃-PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) multifunctional film was deposited on the surface of insulating pressboard by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. The effect of the multilayered ZnO-Al₂O₃-PTFE functional film on the dielectric and water contact angle of the cellulose insulating polymer was investigated. The scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM/EDS) showed that the nano-structured ZnO-Al₂O₃-PTFE functional film was successfully deposited on the cellulose insulation pressboard surface. The functional film presented an obvious stratification phenomenon. By analyzing the result of the contact angle, it was found that the functional film shields the hydroxyl group of the inner cellulose and improves hydrophobicity. The AC breakdown field strength of the treated samples was obviously increased (by 12 to ~17%), which means that the modified samples had a better dielectric insulation performance. This study provides a surface modification method to comprehensively improve electrical properties and the ability to inhibit the moisture of the cellulose insulating polymer, used in a power transformer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Electrical Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 8452 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Water-Dispersed Poly(p-Phenylene Terephthamide) Boosting Nano-Al₂O₃-Coated Polyethylene Separator with Enhanced Thermal Stability and Ion Diffusion for Lithium-Ion Batteries

by Haopeng Cai, Guoping Yang, Zihan Meng, Xue Yin, Haining Zhang and Haolin Tang

Polymers 2019, 11(8), 1362; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym11081362 - 18 Aug 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4086

Abstract

Polyethylene (PE) membranes coated with nano-Al₂O₃ have been improved with water-dispersed poly(p-phenylene terephthamide) (PPTA). From the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, it can be seen that a layer with a honeycombed porous structure is formed on the membrane. The thus-formed composite separator imbibed with the electrolyte solution has an ionic conductivity of 0.474 mS/cm with an electrolyte uptake of 335%. At 175 °C, the assembled battery from the synthesized composite separator explodes at 3200 s, which is five times longer than the battery assembled from an Al₂O₃-coated polyethylene (PE) membrane. The open circuit voltage of the assembled battery using a composite separator drops to zero at 600 s at an operating temperature of 185 °C, while the explosion of the battery with Al₂O₃-coated PE occurs at 250 s. More importantly, the interface resistance of the cell assembled from the composite separator decreases to 65 Ω. Hence, as the discharge rate increases from 0.2 to 1.0 C, the discharge capacity of the battery using composite separator retains 93.5%. Under 0.5 C, the discharge capacity retention remains 99.4% of its initial discharge capacity after 50 charge–discharge cycles. The results described here demonstrate that Al₂O₃/PPTA-coated polyethylene membranes have superior thermal stability and ion diffusion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Electrical Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1453 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Protic Imidazolium Polymer as Ion Conductor for Improved Oxygen Evolution Performance

by Fangfang Zhang, Minchen Yang, Siyi Zhang and Pengfei Fang

Polymers 2019, 11(8), 1268; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym11081268 - 31 Jul 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3136

Abstract

Improving the electrocatalytic performance of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is essential for oxygen-involved electrochemical devices, including water splitting and rechargeable metal–air batteries. In this work, we report that the OER performance of commercial catalysts of IrO₂, Co₃O₄, and Pt-C can be improved by replacing the traditional Nafion^® ionomer with newly synthesized copolymers consisting of protonated imidazolium moieties such as ion conductors and binders in electrodes. Specifically, such an improvement in OER performance for all the tested catalysts is more significant in basic and neutral environments than that under acidic conditions. We anticipate that the results will provide new ideas for the conceptual design of electrodes for oxygen-involved electrochemical devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Electrical Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 2328 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Proton Conductivity through Polybenzimidazole Composite Membranes Containing Silica Nanofiber Mats

by Jorge Escorihuela, Abel García-Bernabé, Alvaro Montero, Andreu Andrio, Óscar Sahuquillo, Enrique Gimenez and Vicente Compañ

Polymers 2019, 11(7), 1182; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/polym11071182 - 14 Jul 2019

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4604

Abstract

The quest for sustainable and more efficient energy-converting devices has been the focus of researchers′ efforts in the past decades. In this study, SiO₂ nanofiber mats were fabricated through an electrospinning process and later functionalized using silane chemistry to introduce different polar groups −OH (neutral), −SO₃H (acidic) and −NH₂ (basic). The modified nanofiber mats were embedded in PBI to fabricate mixed matrix membranes. The incorporation of these nanofiber mats in the PBI matrix showed an improvement in the chemical and thermal stability of the composite membranes. Proton conduction measurements show that PBI composite membranes containing nanofiber mats with basic groups showed higher proton conductivities, reaching values as high as 4 mS·cm⁻¹ at 200 °C. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymeric Materials for Electrical Applications)

► Show Figures