Simulation of charge transport in polypropylene-based nano-composites

Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 2021

Polypropylene (PP)-based polymers are environmentally friendly and degradable materials thatmake them attractive alternatives to polyethylene for the electrical insulation systems of powercables in the future. To enhance the insulation performance of PP and to impede leakagecurrents through the material, different admixtures are utilized. In this paper, the effect ofnano-fillers on charge transport characteristics in PP composites under DC electric fields isinvestigated by using a bipolar charge transport model accounting for mobile and trappedelectrons and holes as well as ionic species. The model was validated by comparing thenumerical results with the experimental data. The dynamic distributions of space chargedensities and electric field in PP with and without nano-fillers are analyzed and compared. Thenumerical results confirmed that 0.5 phr ZnO nano-fillers can significantly improve the electricfield distribution in PP nanocomposites and suppress the bulk current by reducing the chargegeneration rate and mobilities of charge carriers, thus resulting in a decrease in the volumeconductivity. The obtained results provide a theoretical background for tailoring PP-basedcomposites for specific applications by controlling nano-fillers.