Impact of gamma‐irradiation on space charge and charge trap characteristics of Al/epoxy nanocomposites

Abstract

AbstractEpoxy nano Al composites were prepared using epoxyresin, hardener, and Al nanoparticles with required proportions and irradiated with gamma rays of required dosage. Surface potential measurements and space charge studies were employed to investigate the charge trapping properties of gamma‐irradiated specimens. The surface potential decay with DC voltage was sluggish for the gamma‐aged specimens irrespective of the polarity of the applied voltage. Trap distribution characteristics showed that trapped charge carriers occupy the energy range from 0.7 to 0.9 eV and revealed the existence of deep traps for the gamma‐irradiated samples. The mean lifetime and trap depth have followed the direct correlation. Space charge accumulation increased with the dosage of gamma irradiation but did not vary when space charge accumulation reached saturation. Space charge decay rate as well as saturated space charge density is higher for gamma‐aged specimens vs. unaged counterparts. Deep traps inhibited the space charge decay process. Permittivity and loss tangent measurements indicate that dielectric properties were altered with nanofiller inclusions and gamma irradiation.