Plasma Treated Low-Density Polyethylene Nanocomposites: Investigation of Partial Discharge and Breakdown Strength

Polymeric insulating materials have been widely used in high voltage equipment, particularly in power cables, as insulating material, due to their excellent performances. This study investigates the significance of atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) treatment on silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) nanoparticles in enhancing the partial discharge (PD) resistant and breakdown strength characteristics of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) nanocomposites. The duration of plasma treatment was manipulated for 15 and 30 minutes to identify the effects of treatment duration on their dielectric properties. The loading of fillers was varied into 1, 3, and 5 wt% to identify the promising formulations. The results exhibited that the dielectric properties of LDPE nanocomposites have improved as the SiO 2 nanoparticles were treated, anticipated due to the surface activation via functionalizing hydroxyl group on the fillers as ultimate oxidation agent, resulting in reduced size of agglomerated clusters. The PD resistant and breakdown strength characteristics have increased up to 47% and 70% of the unfilled samples, respectively, as the SiO 2 nanoparticles were treated using plasma. Plasma treatment was found to be an alternative technique for improving the filler-polymer surface interaction, at once promising the better dielectric properties of LDPE nanocomposites, potentially prolonging the lifetime of the insulating materials.