Effects of microstructure on the breakdown characteristics of polyethylene–montmorillonite nanocomposites

Abstract

AbstractPolyethylene (PE) has numerous applications in electrical and electronic products. However, PE insulation materials have a short service life, which poses a safety risk during power system operation. To address this issue, a molecular model of polyethylene–montmorillonite (PE–MMT) nanocomposites is developed to simulate and explore the microscopic mechanisms influencing their breakdown characteristics. PE–MMT nanocomposites loaded with 0, 3.3, 4.0, or 5.1 wt% organically modified MMT are obtained via disordered doping. X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy experimentally demonstrate the effects of modifying these nanofillers and dispersing them in PE, while radial distribution function, interaction energy, and fractional free volume studies reveal the microscale characteristics of the nanocomposites. Hydrogen bonds form in the PE–MMT nanocomposites, and the nanocomposite with 4.0 wt% nanofillers exhibits better breakdown properties than pure PE. The simulation results are in agreement with the data collected from experimental analogs, which confirms the accuracy and effectiveness of the PE–MMT nanocomposite models described herein. The findings of this study thus provide both a model for studying breakdown in PE and a modification procedure for improving PE as an insulating material.