Dielectric properties of cluster-deposited TiO$_{2}$ nanocomposites

TiO$_{2}$-polymer nanocomposites are expected to have a high dielectric permittivity of TiO$_{2}$ and large breakdown strength of the polymer, resulting in high energy density suitable for energy storage devices. Since chemically prepared nanocomposites tend to have poor film quality and inhomogeneities due to agglomeration, cluster deposition technique was used to prepare monodispersed TiO$_{2}$--paraffin nanocomposite films. TiO$_{2}$ clusters were coated in-flight with paraffin wax having comparatively better dielectric strength (7.9 -- 11.8 MV/m) using a thermal evaporation source in prior to deposition. Bare TiO$_{2}$ clusters with average particle size ranging from 8 to 12 nm having a maximum dielectric permittivity of 54 were obtained. The structural and dielectric properties of these nanocomposites with varying volume fractions will be discussed. This research is supported by ONR and NCMN.