Proposal of a multi-core model for polymer nanocomposite dielectrics

TLDR

The authors propose a simplified multi‑layered core model as a working hypothesis to explain the dielectric and electrical insulation properties of polymer nanocomposites. The model defines a multi‑layered interfacial zone comprising bonded, bound, and loose layers, with a Gouy‑Chapman diffuse layer of tens to hundreds of nanometers that induces far‑field effects and interparticle electrical interactions. The model successfully explains partial discharge resistance in polyamide layered silicate nanocomposites and is validated experimentally. A multi‑core model is proposed.

Abstract

A multi-core model, i.e. a simplified term of a multi-layered core model, is proposed as a working hypothesis to understand various properties and phenomena that polymer nanocomposites exhibit as dielectrics and electrical insulation. It gives fine structures to what are called "interaction zones". An interfacial layer of several tens nm is multi-layered, which consists of a bonded layer, a bound layer, and a loose layer. In addition, the Gouy-Chapman diffuse layer with the Debye shielding length of several tens to 100 nm is superimposed in the interfacial layer to cause a far-field effect. Nano-particles may interact electrically with the nearest neighbors each other due to this effect, resulting in possible collaborative effect. Such a multi-core model with the far-field effect is discussed, for example, to explain partial discharge (PD) resistance of polyamide layered silicate nanocomposites, and is verified to demonstrate its effectiveness.