Molecular Orbital Properties and Insulation Characteristics of Flaxseed Oil

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the molecular orbital parameters of flaxseed oil (linum usitatissimum) and to measure the AC breakdown voltages at different electrode gaps with various rate of rises. AC breakdown voltages of flaxseed oil are measured at 1.0 and 2.5 mm electrode settings with 0.5 kV/s, 2.0 kV/s and 3.0 kV/s rate of rises, adhering to IEC and IEEE standards. UV-VIS (Ultraviolet–Visible) and FT-IR (Fourier Transform-Infrared) measurement tests carried out after breakdown voltage measurements reveals that the molecular structure of the oil remains stable against electrical discharges. The compounds of flaxseed oil are analyzed using GC-MS and it is determined that the oil mainly consists of seven triglycerides in accordance with the literature. In order to better understand the electrical behavior of these triglycerides, molecular orbital properties such as ionization potential, electron affinity and electron energy gap are analyzed employing Density Functional Theory (DFT) using B3LYP/6-311 + G(d,p) and B3PW91/6-311 + G(d,p) basis sets. The advantages of flaxseed oil such as AC dielectric strength, stability against breakdown mechanism, homogeneous molecular electrical characteristics of its compounds and antioxidant content make this oil as one of the potential natural ester alternatives to mineral oils in the power system industry.