Effect of nanoparticles on space charge behavior of XLPE/SiC nanocomposites

Nanoparticles have a huge specific surface areas, which may produce a special interface between particles and polymer matrix in nanocomposites. It is effect to improve the electrical and mechanical properties of XLPE insulation materials by adding nanoparticles. By using SiC nanoparticles with diameter of 40nm, the samples with concentration of 1wt%, 3wt% and 5wt% have been prepared. This paper researches on the effect of SiC nanoparticles on space charge behavior of XLPE/SiC nanocomposites. The test results show that all nanocomposites can suppress space charge accumulation, in which the nanocomposites with concentration of 1wt% have the best effect. Meanwhile, there are heterocharges near electrodes in XLPE and XLPE/SiC nanocomposites with concentration of 5wt%. On the contrary, there are homocharges near electrodes in nanocomposites whose concentration is 3wt%. This phenomenon may be caused by different amount of shallow traps in nanocomposites with different concentrations, which may cause different mobility of electrons or holes in nanocomposites.