Experimental investigation of E-beam effect on the electric field distribution in cross-linked polyethylene/ZnO nanocomposites for medium-voltage cables simulated by COMSOL Multiphysics

Abstract

This study investigated the electric field distribution of underground cable insulation in cross-linked polyethylene/zinc oxide (XLPE/ ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) for medium-voltage (MV) cables. The ZnO NPs that were obtained by three methods of preparation were classified using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The obtained ZnO NPs were semi-spheres with sizes of 35–55 nm on TEM images. XLPE/ ZnO films with various ZnO NP weight contents (i.e., 0, 1, 3, and 5%) were exposed to varied dosages of 3-MeV electron beam (EB); 0 kGy, 15 kGy, 20 kGy, and 25 kGy. The optimum film XLPE/ 5-ZnO, which has ZnO NP content (5 wt%), irradiated at 25 kGy, according to alternating current (AC)/ DC conductivity (AC: 1 × 10−4 S/m; DC: 12.44 × 10−2 S/m) in minimum relative permittivity (2.24), was obtained. COMSOL Multiphysics was used to simulate the electric field distribution within an MV cable of 25-kGy XLPE/ 5-ZnO insulation. The maximum uniform electric field was found in the middle of the 25-kGy XLPE/5-ZnO film sample, rather than at the top or bottom, which might be attributed to the significantly low relative permittivity of the new 25-kGy XLPE/5-ZnO film cable.

Impact of γ-irradiation and SBR content in the compatibility of aminated (PVC/LLDPE)/ZnO for improving their AC conductivity and oil removal

“…Numerous studies have specifically examined filler content's impact on composite materials' characteristics. These nanocomposites' mechanical and electrical conductivity characteristics were closely related to the filler aspect ratio 19,20 .…”

Investigating the impact of electron beam irradiation on electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of XLPE/Co3O4 nanocomposites

“…Mohamed et al have investigated the electrical treeing behavior in XLPE insulation as it filled with All 2 O 3 nanoparticles and they observed higher time for treeing growth in XLPE insulation so extended cable life could be achieved 23 . Sharshir et al 27 have prepared XLPE and its nanocomposite filled with ZnO nanoparticles which showed improvement of the electric field distribution in medium-voltage cables whereas Wang et al have verified modified charge transport mechanism of the cable joint as XLPE has doped with MgO nanoparticles 28 . However, no studies are explored on the capability of filling XLPE with magnetic nanoparticles to impart it with magnetic characteristics which would be consequently applied in magnetic systems and spintronics.…”

“…Through controlled exposure to electron beams, it is possible to control oxygen vacancies within metal oxide nanoparticles, leading to intriguing changes in material behavior. This introduces a compelling avenue for tuning material properties through the controlled introduction or removal of defects, providing a deeper understanding of the underlying physics and chemistry at the nanoscale 27 , 49 – 52 .…”