In Situ Amidation‐Derived Interfacial Modulation for Homogeneous Ultra‐High Nanoparticle Loading Toward Robust and Flexible Piezoelectric Composites

ABSTRACT Hybrid materials‐based composites offer resilient and distinctive properties that can be utilized in a broad range of fields compared to traditional single‐phase materials, especially gaining attention in the field of composite‐based flexible piezoelectric energy harvesters (f‐PEHs). However, dispersing pristine inorganic fillers into an organic matrix presents challenges such as particle aggregation, interfacial incompatibility, and heterogeneous dispersion, which limit the ability to achieve uniform ultra‐high ceramic loading to improve the performance of f‐PEHs. Herein, a polydopamine (PDA) surface coating technology was introduced to BaTiO 3 @BaSrTiO 3 core–shell (CS) piezoelectric nanoparticles to inhibit particle aggregation, interfacial incompatibility, and heterogeneous dispersion inside the polymeric matrix. The in situ polymerization of PDA within the PI matrix creates cooperative covalent and non‐covalent interfacial interactions, enabling homogeneous dispersion and achieving 80 wt.% filler loading. These achievements were theoretically verified by employing a density functional theory calculation. The hybrid composite film with high contents (80 wt.%) of PDA‐coated CS piezoelectric nanoparticles exhibits enhanced microstructural stability and a superior piezoelectric coefficient (d 33, eff ≈ 13.4 pm/V). These features promote an efficient stress transfer, a strong grain‐to‐grain connectivity, and an improved cumulative electric dipole alignment, which results in highly‐efficient energy conversion of energy harvesters. The optimized piezocomposite‐based f‐PEH has a maximum open‐circuit voltage ( V OC ) of ∼5.11 V and a short‐circuit current ( I SC ) of ∼1.12 µA when subjected to repetitive mechanical bending forces. Furthermore, our piezo‐hybrid material technology, realizing the ultra‐high loading of ceramic fillers inside a polymeric matrix, provides the feasibility of robustness under extreme environmental conditions, highlighting suitability for space and nuclear applications.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2026-02-15
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202530216
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

In Situ Amidation‐Derived Interfacial Modulation for Homogeneous Ultra‐High Nanoparticle Loading Toward Robust and Flexible Piezoelectric Composites

S. C. Kim, T. J. Zhang, Hye-Won Choi, Jun Mo Koo et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
article

In Situ Amidation‐Derived Interfacial Modulation for Homogeneous Ultra‐High Nanoparticle Loading Toward Robust and Flexible Piezoelectric Composites

S. C. Kim, T. J. Zhang, Hye-Won Choi, Jun Mo Koo, Chang Kyu Jeong, Nagamalleswara Rao Alluri, H. J. Kim, Gyoung‐Ja Lee, Kwi‐Il Park, Jihun Choi, Donghun Lee, M LEE, In Beom Heo, Geon‐Tae Hwang, HyoMin Jeon, Sung Beom Cho, Hyun‐Soo Chang, Hyeong Min Jin, HakSu Jang, Dong Won Jeon, Changyeon Baek
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Hybrid materials‐based composites offer resilient and distinctive properties that can be utilized in a broad range of fields compared to traditional single‐phase materials, especially gaining attention in the field of composite‐based flexible piezoelectric energy harvesters (f‐PEHs). However, dispersing pristine inorganic fillers into an organic matrix presents challenges such as particle aggregation, interfacial incompatibility, and heterogeneous dispersion, which limit the ability to achieve uniform ultra‐high ceramic loading to improve the performance of f‐PEHs. Herein, a polydopamine (PDA) surface coating technology was introduced to BaTiO 3 @BaSrTiO 3 core–shell (CS) piezoelectric nanoparticles to inhibit particle aggregation, interfacial incompatibility, and heterogeneous dispersion inside the polymeric matrix. The in situ polymerization of PDA within the PI matrix creates cooperative covalent and non‐covalent interfacial interactions, enabling homogeneous dispersion and achieving 80 wt.% filler loading. These achievements were theoretically verified by employing a density functional theory calculation. The hybrid composite film with high contents (80 wt.%) of PDA‐coated CS piezoelectric nanoparticles exhibits enhanced microstructural stability and a superior piezoelectric coefficient (d 33, eff ≈ 13.4 pm/V). These features promote an efficient stress transfer, a strong grain‐to‐grain connectivity, and an improved cumulative electric dipole alignment, which results in highly‐efficient energy conversion of energy harvesters. The optimized piezocomposite‐based f‐PEH has a maximum open‐circuit voltage ( V OC ) of ∼5.11 V and a short‐circuit current ( I SC ) of ∼1.12 µA when subjected to repetitive mechanical bending forces. Furthermore, our piezo‐hybrid material technology, realizing the ultra‐high loading of ceramic fillers inside a polymeric matrix, provides the feasibility of robustness under extreme environmental conditions, highlighting suitability for space and nuclear applications.

Advanced Functional Materials
Harbin University of Science and Technology (CN), Harbin University (CN), Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KR), Chungnam National University (KR), Kyungpook National University (KR), Ajou University (KR), Jeonbuk National University (KR), Pukyong National University (KR)
National Research Foundation, Chungnam National University, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, National Research Foundation of Korea, Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 55%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
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