Effect of the polymer matrices on the dielectric behavior of a percolative high-k polymer composite for embedded capacitor applications

High dielectric constant (high-k) polymer composites are of great interest for embedded capacitor applications. Previously, we demonstrated that epoxy—aluminum composites are promising for embedded capacitor applications, because they have a high dielectric constant and a low dielectric loss due to the core—shell structure of the self-passivated aluminum particles. In this work, to further understand the dielectric behavior of aluminum composites, lower-loss polymers such as silicone, polyimide, polynorbornene, and benzocyclobutene were explored as matrices for the aluminum composites. It is found that the polymer matrices can significantly change the dielectric properties of the aluminum composites. A polymer matrix with a lower dielectric constant generally results in a lower dielectric constant of its aluminum composites. In this regard, polymer—aluminum composites have a similar dielectric characteristic as polymer—ceramic composites. Thermomechanical properties of aluminum composites were characterized by a thermomechanical analyzer.