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Flexible dielectric composites with high permittivity have been extensively studied due to their potential applications in high-density energy capacitors. In this review, effects of interface characteristics on the dielectric properties in the polymer-based nanocomposites with high permittivity are analyzed. The polymer-based dielectric composites are classified into two types: dielectric–dielectric (DD, ceramic particle-polymer) composites and conductor–dielectric (CD, conductive particle-polymer) composites. It is highly desirable for the dielectric–dielectric composites to exhibit high permittivity at low content of ceramic particles, which requires a remarkable interface interaction existing in the composite. For conductor–dielectric composites, a high permittivity can be achieved in composite with a small amount of conductor particle, but associated with a high loss. In this case, the interface between conductor and polymer with a good insulating characteristic is very important. Different methods can be used to modify the surface of ceramic/conductor particles before these particles are dispersed into polymers. The experimental results are summarized on how to design and make the desirable interface, and recent achievements in the development of these nanocomposites are presented. The challenges facing the fundamental understanding on the role of interface in high-permittivity polymer nanocomposites should be paid a more attention.

0-3 dielectric composites with high dielectric constants have received great interest for various technological applications. Great achievements have been made in the development of high performance of 0-3 composites, which can be classified into dielectric–dielectric (DDCs) and conductor–dielectric composites (CDCs). However, predicting the dielectric properties of a composite is still a challenging problem of both theoretical and practical importance. Here, the physical aspects of 0-3 dielectric composites are reviewed. The limitation of current understanding and new developments in the physics of dielectric properties for dielectric composites are discussed. It is indicated that the current models cannot explain well the physical aspects for the dielectric properties of 0-3 dielectric composites. For the CDCs, experimental results show that there is a need to find new equations/models to predict the percolative behavior incorporating more parameters to describe the behavior of these materials. For the DDCs, it is indicated that the dielectric loss of each constituent has to be considered, and that it plays a critical role in the determination of the dielectric response of these types of composites. The differences in the loss of the constituents can result in a higher dielectric constant than both of the constituents combined, which breaks the Wiener limits.

The characteristics of the electromechanical response observed in an ionic-electroactive polymer (i-EAP) are represented by the time ($t$) dependence of its bending actuation ($y$). The electromechanical response of a typical i-EAP — poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) doped with lithium perchlorate (LP) — is studied. The shortcomings of all existing models describing the electromechanical response obtained in i-EAPs are discussed. A more reasonable model: $y=y_{max}{e}^{-\tau ∕t}$ is introduced to characterize this time dependence for all i-EAPs. The advantages and correctness of this model are confirmed using results obtained in PEO-LP actuators with different LP contents and at different temperatures. The applicability and universality of this model are validated using the reported results obtained from two different i-EAPs: one is Flemion and the other is polypyrrole actuators.