Polyethylene Nanocomposites - a Solution Blending Approach
Polyethylene Nanocomposites - a Solution Blending Approach
Polymer nanocomposites are expected to be the potential dielectric materials of the future due to the unique electrical properties that these materials could exhibit. The interfaces between the polymer and the nanofiller are thought to be the critical contributing factor to the unique electrical properties. Although much effort has been expended in investigating the potential dielectric benefit of such newly emerging materials, many uncertainties remain unanswered, and much remains to be explored [1]. For example, dispersion of nanoparticles in polymers is still a significant challenge. Due to their small size, nanoparticles tend to agglomerate rather than appear as single particles when incorporated into polymers. This happens even though the polymers should be relatively compatible with the particular nanoparticle. Therefore, various preparation techniques are proposed to obviate, or at least minimise, such unwanted clustering effects. In our previous study [2], the preparation of polyethylene nanocomposites through nanosilica dispersion in methanol was reported, where the breakdown strength was negatively affected due to the poor dispersion of nanosilica. In this study, we investigate another possible solution blending route, i.e., through the initial dispersion of nanosilica in xylene. Polyethylene (80: 20 ratio of low density polyethylene to high density polyethylene) containing 0 wt%, 2 wt%, 5 wt% and 10 wt% of nanosilica were investigated. After etching, scanning electron microscopy reveals the lamellar texture of the base polymer and provides evidence concerning the dispersion state of the nanosilica. The melting and crystallisation behaviours of the materials have been evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, supported by polarized optical microscopy. The influence of nanosilica on the AC breakdown strength is finally described.
8
Lau, K Y
9dc5489c-dcae-4b76-ab65-756fe710b353
Vaughan, A S
6d813b66-17f9-4864-9763-25a6d659d8a3
Chen, G
3de45a9c-6c9a-4bcb-90c3-d7e26be21819
Hosier, I L
6a44329e-b742-44de-afa7-073f80a78e26
18 January 2012
Lau, K Y
9dc5489c-dcae-4b76-ab65-756fe710b353
Vaughan, A S
6d813b66-17f9-4864-9763-25a6d659d8a3
Chen, G
3de45a9c-6c9a-4bcb-90c3-d7e26be21819
Hosier, I L
6a44329e-b742-44de-afa7-073f80a78e26
Lau, K Y, Vaughan, A S, Chen, G and Hosier, I L
(2012)
Polyethylene Nanocomposites - a Solution Blending Approach.
The Fifth UHVnet Colloquium, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.
18 - 19 Jan 2012.
.
Record type:
Conference or Workshop Item
(Paper)
Abstract
Polymer nanocomposites are expected to be the potential dielectric materials of the future due to the unique electrical properties that these materials could exhibit. The interfaces between the polymer and the nanofiller are thought to be the critical contributing factor to the unique electrical properties. Although much effort has been expended in investigating the potential dielectric benefit of such newly emerging materials, many uncertainties remain unanswered, and much remains to be explored [1]. For example, dispersion of nanoparticles in polymers is still a significant challenge. Due to their small size, nanoparticles tend to agglomerate rather than appear as single particles when incorporated into polymers. This happens even though the polymers should be relatively compatible with the particular nanoparticle. Therefore, various preparation techniques are proposed to obviate, or at least minimise, such unwanted clustering effects. In our previous study [2], the preparation of polyethylene nanocomposites through nanosilica dispersion in methanol was reported, where the breakdown strength was negatively affected due to the poor dispersion of nanosilica. In this study, we investigate another possible solution blending route, i.e., through the initial dispersion of nanosilica in xylene. Polyethylene (80: 20 ratio of low density polyethylene to high density polyethylene) containing 0 wt%, 2 wt%, 5 wt% and 10 wt% of nanosilica were investigated. After etching, scanning electron microscopy reveals the lamellar texture of the base polymer and provides evidence concerning the dispersion state of the nanosilica. The melting and crystallisation behaviours of the materials have been evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, supported by polarized optical microscopy. The influence of nanosilica on the AC breakdown strength is finally described.
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UHVnet2012 Slides - KYLau.ppt
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Published date: 18 January 2012
Additional Information:
Event Dates: 18-19 January 2012
Venue - Dates:
The Fifth UHVnet Colloquium, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom, 2012-01-18 - 2012-01-19
Organisations:
Electronics & Computer Science, EEE
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 273122
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/273122
PURE UUID: c1ee17a6-ef2a-4997-a1de-431e46b2bbd8
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Date deposited: 20 Jan 2012 14:20
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:18
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Contributors
Author:
K Y Lau
Author:
A S Vaughan
Author:
G Chen
Author:
I L Hosier
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