Study of the Electrical Conductivity Characteristics of Micro and Nano-ZnO/LDPE Composites

Abstract

Polyethylene, a thermoplastic resin made by ethylene polymerization, is widely used in electrical insulation. In this study, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is used as a matrix with micro- and nano-ZnO particles as a filler to produce different proportions of micro- and nano-ZnO composites by melt blending. These samples are characterized by Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) and FTIR tests, with their conductance measured under different field strengths. The current density vs. electric field strength (J-E) curve of micro- and nano-ZnO composites under different field strengths are measured and analyzed. The J-E curves of different composites at different temperatures are measured to explore conductance with temperature. The results of these tests showed that nano-ZnO composites successfully suppressed conductivity at elevated temperatures and electric field strengths, while micro-ZnO composites increased the conductivity relative to pure LDPE.

Effect of fabrication method on the physical properties of carbon-nanotube/silicone-rubber nanocomposite in high-voltage insulators

“…The electrical conductivity of a polymer matrix nanocomposite has a firm dependence to the additive concentration and there is a percolation onset concentration. 33,34 At low additive fractions, the effective conductivity remains very close to the conductivity of the polymeric matrix, since the additives are distributed individually or are in small clusters. Above the percolation onset, the additives have a tendency to join together in order to create effective conductive networks.…”