Trap levels in low density polyethylene doped with nanoparticles by photo-stimulated discharge

Abstract

Trap levels in nanoparticle doped low density polyethylene (LDPE) are investigated by photo-stimulated discharge (PSD). The PSD spectra in MgO/LDPE and Al2O3/LDPE nanocomposites with the different mass percentages and different nanocomposites with the same mass percentage are obtained by continuous scanning mode, which can be qualitatively estimate the trap energy distribution. The trap levels in Al2O3/LDPE nanocomposite are quantitatively described by step scanning mode. The experimental results indicate that the trap levels in Al2O3/LDPE nanocomposites with the Al2O3 content of more than 0.2% and MgO/LDPE nanocomposites with the MgO content of more than 0.5% are deeper than those of the virgin LDPE. According to the relevant reports on the effect of nanoparticle doping on space charge injection, it is considered that the suppression of space charge is probably correlated with the deeper trap levels in nanocomposites.