PVDF-based nanoceramic composite for improved SDBD thruster performance at low pressure

The dielectric properties of a dielectric material significantly affect the gas-solid interface discharge characteristics of the surface dielectric barrier discharge (SDBD) and surface space charge accumulation. In this study, new high dielectric composite dielectrics were prepared from barium calcium zirconate titanate nanoceramic particles (BZCT-NPs) using olyvinylidene luoride (PVDF) as a matrix. The impact of the amount of BZCT-NPs incorporated in the dielectric was investigated, and the influence mechanism of the new dielectric on the performance of SDBD ion wind thrusts was studied. Dielectrics with 3% (v/v) and 5% (v/v) BZCT-NPs/PVDF had significantly higher dielectric constants, 111% ± 2% and 135% ± 5%, respectively, compared to dielectrics made only of PVDF. The loss angle tangent values increased by 673% ± 33% and 707% ± 33%, respectively. The discharge charge increased by 54% ± 4% and 108% ± 13%, and the discharge time in one cycle increased by 23% ± 6% and 13% ± 4%, respectively. The single-point maximum wind speeds increased by 23.2% and 8.7%, respectively. The maximum thrust-to-power ratio of the 0% (v/v), 3% (v/v), and 5% (v/v) BZCT-NP dielectrics were 1060 μN/kW, 3120 μN/kW, and 2436 μN/kW, respectively. Interestingly, the minimum operating voltage of the thrusters decreased with increasing volume fraction of BZCT-NP, while the thrust-to-power ratio of the thruster increased significantly with higher levels of nanoceramic particles. The starting operating voltage of the 3% (v/v) BZCT-NPs/PVDF dielectric decreased by approximately 35% and 50% compared to the 5% (v/v) BZCT-NPs/PVDF and PVDF dielectrics, respectively, while the maximum thrust-to-power ratio increased by 194.3% and 129.8%, respectively.