Dielectric properties of low-density polyethylene/MgO nanocomposites

Polymer nanocomposite has been attracting much attention as a new insulating material, since homogeneous dispersion of only few nm-sized inorganic fillers can improve various properties significantly. In the present article, we report measurement results of permittivity, conduction current, and space charge distribution profiles observed in low-density polyethylene/MgO nanocomposites with various filler contents. The permittivity shows the lowest value at 1-phr addition of fillers and then increases monotonically with an increase in the filler content. The volume resistivity measured under a dc electric field becomes highest at 5 phr in the temperature range between 278 and 363 K. There is a possibility that molecular motions, which help electronic or ionic charge carriers escape from traps by hopping, are restricted by the addition of a proper quantity of nano-fillers. In all the samples, homocharge is found to be formed before the anode.