Polymers have been used as dielectric materials owing to their light weight, great flexibility, and processability as well as high insulation properties. To enhance their performance for various desired dielectric applications, fabrication of polymeric nanocomposites is believed to be one of the most effective approaches. By controlling the nanomaterial dispersion and interfacial structures with the polymer matrices in nanocomposites, dielectric properties can be tailored for specific applications.

This book reviews representative polymer nanocomposite systems, focusing on the roles of nanodispersion, interfacial structures, and properties of polymer matrix materials in the dielectric properties and energy storage performance. The book reviews various dielectric relaxation models applicable to the analysis of polymer nanocomposites. It compiles the recent progress in new dielectric polymer nanocomposites based on biomaterials and hybrid nanomaterial systems for advanced dielectric applications.

Wei-Hong Zhong is an endowed chair professor, Westinghouse Distinguished Professor, at the Washington State University, USA, since 2007. She received her PhD in materials science and engineering at Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China, in 1994, where she was promoted to full professor in 1999. Prof. Zhong began her faculty career at North Dakota State University, USA, in 2003. She is a reviewer/panelist of grant proposals for the United States National Science Foundation and the United States Department of Energy and a nanotechnology consultant for The Boeing Company since 2006. She has received numerous awards and honors, including the Dow Chemical Composites Educator of the Year 2011 by the Society of Plastic Engineers, and has authored nearly 300 publications in polymer composites and energy materials.

Bin Li is assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Wichita State University, USA, since 2013. He received his PhD in mechanical engineering from the Washington State University in 2012 and joined its School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering as an assistant research professor in the same year. His active research and teaching areas include design, synthesis, and manufacturing of advanced polymers, biomaterials, and their nanocomposites for sustainable aviation and energy applications.

Basics of Polymers and Polymer Nanocomposites as Dielectric Materials