PN‐Cage‐Based Hybrid Inorganic–Organic Polymers for Self‐Healing High‐Energy Density Capacitors

ABSTRACT Polymer dielectrics are indispensable for modern electronics and power systems, yet achieving high energy density together with long‐term reliability remains a persistent challenge. Conventional organic polymers frequently degrade under intense electric fields with compromised breakdown strength and cycling stability, highlighting the urgent need for polymers with intrinsic self‐healing capabilities. Distinct from well‐known dielectric polymers featuring carbon‐rich backbones and side groups, which are vulnerable in high‐energy operating conditions, polymers containing phosphorus‐nitrogen (PN) bonds and a rigid 3D structure in the main chain offer enhanced environmental robustness and stability. Their potential for applications in electrostatic energy storage, however, remains unexplored. Herein, we present poly(hydrazinophosphine diazide) (PHPD‐CO), a PN cage‐integrated organic–inorganic hybrid polymer readily synthesized by Staudinger polycondensation, as an exceptional dielectric polymer for electrostatic energy storage. PHPD‐CO thin films fabricated through simple solution processing achieve a breakdown strength above 700 MV m −1 and a discharge energy density of ∼7.7 J cm −3 at an efficiency of 96%. Unlike carbon‐rich dielectrics, decomposition of PHPD‐CO during dielectric breakdown produces nonvolatile, inorganic‐dominant passivation layers that effectively preserve energy storage performance after self‐healing. These features not only endow PHPD‐CO‐based capacitors with long‐term cycling stability with minimal performance degradation, but also position PN‐cage‐based hybrid inorganic–organic polymers as promising candidates for next‐generation dielectric polymers.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2026-02-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202532164
Primary Topic
Dielectric materials and actuators
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

PN‐Cage‐Based Hybrid Inorganic–Organic Polymers for Self‐Healing High‐Energy Density Capacitors

Shiqi Lai, Audrey Laventure, Saurabh S. Chitnis, Yalin Wang et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
Dielectric materials and actuators
article

PN‐Cage‐Based Hybrid Inorganic–Organic Polymers for Self‐Healing High‐Energy Density Capacitors

Shiqi Lai, Audrey Laventure, Saurabh S. Chitnis, Yalin Wang, Liana M. Klivansky, Zongliang Xie, Ashlin Deatherage, Tristan Perodeau, Maryam F. Abdollahi, He Li, Yi Liu, Yi Yin, Lu Fan, Xi Chen
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Polymer dielectrics are indispensable for modern electronics and power systems, yet achieving high energy density together with long‐term reliability remains a persistent challenge. Conventional organic polymers frequently degrade under intense electric fields with compromised breakdown strength and cycling stability, highlighting the urgent need for polymers with intrinsic self‐healing capabilities. Distinct from well‐known dielectric polymers featuring carbon‐rich backbones and side groups, which are vulnerable in high‐energy operating conditions, polymers containing phosphorus‐nitrogen (PN) bonds and a rigid 3D structure in the main chain offer enhanced environmental robustness and stability. Their potential for applications in electrostatic energy storage, however, remains unexplored. Herein, we present poly(hydrazinophosphine diazide) (PHPD‐CO), a PN cage‐integrated organic–inorganic hybrid polymer readily synthesized by Staudinger polycondensation, as an exceptional dielectric polymer for electrostatic energy storage. PHPD‐CO thin films fabricated through simple solution processing achieve a breakdown strength above 700 MV m −1 and a discharge energy density of ∼7.7 J cm −3 at an efficiency of 96%. Unlike carbon‐rich dielectrics, decomposition of PHPD‐CO during dielectric breakdown produces nonvolatile, inorganic‐dominant passivation layers that effectively preserve energy storage performance after self‐healing. These features not only endow PHPD‐CO‐based capacitors with long‐term cycling stability with minimal performance degradation, but also position PN‐cage‐based hybrid inorganic–organic polymers as promising candidates for next‐generation dielectric polymers.

Advanced Functional Materials
Dalhousie University (CA), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (US), Nanyang Technological University (SG), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN), University of Victoria (CA), Université de Montréal (CA), University of California, Berkeley (US)
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 30%
Dielectric materials and actuators
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.