The effect of nanofiller on polyethylene system

Abstract

The topic of polymer nanocomposites remains an active area of research in terms of its potential applications in dielectric and electrical insulation applications. Although more than a decade has passed since Lewis first considered these systems as dielectric materials, the precise effects of incorporating nanofillers into different polymers are yet to be confirmed. While this strategy is generally regarded as a promising means of tailoring insulation performance, the consequences of adding a nanofiller to an insulating matrix are not always positive; for example, where dispersion is poor the breakdown strength can be adversely affected. This paper reports on an investigation into nano-filled polyethylene system prepared via a solution blending route. A blend of polyethylene containing 20 % of high density polyethylene and 80 % of low density polyethylene was used as the base polymer, with nanosilica as the filler. The strategy employed for material preparation involves the initial dissolution of the polymer in nonpolar xylene and the dispersion of the nanosilica in relatively polar methanol - a non-solvent for polyethylene. Mixing together the two components results in the rapid gelation of the polymer, including the nanoparticles. Specifically, in this study, we consider the effect of processing and nanofiller dispersion on the structure and physical properties of the nanocomposites that forms. The crystallization behaviour and morphology of the differently processed materials have been evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After etching, SEM reveals the lamellar texture of the base polymer and provides evidence concerning the dispersion state of the nanosilica. The influence of nanofiller dispersion on breakdown behaviour is finally described.

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ORCID for Alun Vaughan: orcid.org/0000-0002-0535-513X

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