Impact of Filler Configurations on Properties of Epoxy-based Nanocomposites

Abstract

The epoxy nanocomposites have been popular in a range of electrical power applications due to their superior performance as compared to the conventional solid insulators. In the study, the effects of various filler configurations on the properties of epoxy-based nanocomposites have been examined. To reduce the cost involved in synthesis and characterization, the $\mathrm{T}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{O}_{2}$ (Titania) and $\mathrm{Z}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{O}$ (Zinc Oxide) -based epoxy nanocomposites have been modeled and tested by using a finite element-based software tool. The models have been studied to observe the impacts of filler material, size, and shape at specific filler loadings on effective DC permittivity and joule heat transferability. Besides, the DC permittivity has been compared with various classical models. It has been derived that the epoxy composites with 60 nm-circular $\mathrm{Z}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{O}$ fillers offer effective permittivity of about 3.75 and low electric fields as compared to $\mathrm{T}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{O}_{2}$-based composites. Moreover, in comparison with circularshaped fillers, square-shaped $\mathrm{Z}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{O}$ fillers improve thejoule heat transfer ability by almost 25%. These results are expected to be useful to understand the interfacial dynamics between the epoxy matrix and nanofillers. Further, the simulation approach helps to decide a perfect blend of electrical and thermal properties in the nanocomposites.