Enhancing the electrical and physical nature of high-voltage XLPE cable dielectric using different nanoparticles

The goal of this study is to see how different chemically modified nanoparticles affect the performance and characteristics of commercial cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) as a polymeric insulator used in insulating power cables and to compare their properties in order to figure out what factors are most important in improving the XLPE properties. Silicon dioxide or silica, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide nanoparticle are used in this study. Nanoparticles (NPs) amino silane surface modification was carried out to decrease nanoparticle aggregation and improve compatibility with the polymer matrix. The melt blending process was used to synthesize and develop XLPE nano-composites on an industrial scale with varying nanoparticle loading ratios (0.5, 2.0, 3.5, and 5.0 wt%). The morphology and size of all functionalized nanoparticles were explained. The morphology of the produced nano-composites and particle dispersion in the XLPE polymer matrix were studied using X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. All samples' thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties are evaluated. The result shows the optimum values of melting temperature for functionalized XLPE nano-composites and it is seen that the functionalized XLPE/TiO2 samples have the highest value that increased by 6.85 °C over XLPE, but the smallest tensile strength and elongation values were observed. Also, the use of silica NPs gives maximum enhancement dielectric properties.