Effect of nanoparticles loading on electrical tree propagation in polymer nanocomposites

A Review of Two Nanocomposite Insulating Materials Models: Lewis’ Contribution in the Development of the Models, their Differences, their Similarities and Future Challenges

“…and the interfacial regions) contribute to the enhancement of the dielectric properties of nanocomposites [50]. Evidence, that converges with the simulation results presented in [47,48], was published recently, where was remarked that layered montmorillonite particles have the strongest effect on slowing down the propagation of electrical treeing in LDPE [21]. In the latter paper, it is also pointed out that the strongest benefit from nanostructuration is gained in the mid-term performance of the material.…”

“…Simulation results until now give some good grounds to Tanaka's model. As was indicated previously, electrical tree paths in a nanocomposite go through the polymer and not through the nanoparticles [47,48].…”

“…With high nanoparticle percentage, about 50% of the total volume will be affected and one may assume that it is possible that also the shell layer interfaces will overlap. This point is somehow shown, albeit with all reservations of the simulation parameters, in [47][48][49], where treeing paths penetrate through the polymer. In the aforementioned publications, the tree propagation is shown in a nanocomposite with well defined nanoparticles and a space charge density of 40 C/m 3 .…”

“…their respective thicknesses and their possibility of interpretation of various phenomena, they both refer to layers surrounding a nanoparticle and they both explain why with the addition of nanoparticles there is a marked improvement in the properties of conventional polymers. Recent simulation results [47][48][49] indicate that electrical treeing goes through the polymer matrix, avoiding thus the nanoparticles. This is an indication of validity of both models but not yet a proof.…”