Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Synthesis of Monodisperse Cylindrical Nanoparticles via Crystallization-driven Self-assembly of Biodegradable Block Copolymers
Published on: June 20, 2019
High Breakdown and Energy Storage Properties of PMMA via Conformational Transition Induced by a Heat Treatment
Han Chen1,2, Yang Cui2,3, Guoping Zou1
1College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018, P.R. China.
None:
Given the strict energy density requirements for renewable energy grid-connected film capacitors, developing polymer dielectrics with high breakdown field strength and high efficiency is essential. This study aims to improve the energy storage performance of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) by employing molecular chain conformational engineering. Following heat treatment, the primary chain conformation in PMMA can transition from trans-trans (tt) to trans-gauche (tg). This tg configuration facilitates a denser packing of the polymer chains, leading to a decrease in free volume fraction. Consequently, it mitigates dielectric relaxation losses while preserving PMMA's inherent low-loss characteristics. Moreover, it impedes charge carrier injection and migration under high electric fields, thereby augmenting the breakdown field strength. Density functional theory computations indicate that the tg conformation exhibits a energy gap of 5.23 eV, suggesting a formidable energy barrier for charge injection into the polymer matrix. Finally, the stepped heat treatment at 80-150 °C enhanced the breakdown electric field of PMMA films to 768 MV/m, achieving an energy density of 14.91 J/cm3 and an efficiency of 83%. This study highlights the potential to manipulate polymer dielectric properties through chain conformation engineering, providing a theoretical basis for high-performance dielectric material design.
Related Concept Videos
Polymer Classification: Crystallinity
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
Polymer Classification: Stereospecificity
Polymer Classification: Architecture
Step-Growth Polymerization: Overview
Many natural and synthetic polymers are produced by...
Molecular Weight of Step-Growth Polymers
As the step-growth polymerization involves step-wise condensation of monomers, the molecular weight also builds up eventually. Consequently, high molecular weight polymers are obtained at the late stages of the polymerization, where 99% of monomers have been consumed.
The extent of the...

