Simulation study of Effects of Alumina Nanoparticle Interactions in Polymer Matrix

In the present-day scenario, polymer nanocomposites play a significant contributor in engineering applications replacing conventional composites. Polymers are reinforced with nanofillers to overcome the limitations posed by and enhance their applications. Desired functional properties of polymer nanocomposites are modified by varying the concentration of nanofiller in matrix. In the present work, the effect of alumina nanofiller loading on the electrical and thermal conductivity of polymeric nanocomposites. Identifying optimal percentage of nanofiller inclusions that control or influence the electrical and thermal conduction process in polymeric nanocomposites is the main objective of this research work. A three-dimensional model with a polymer matrix containing 1 wt.%, 5 wt.%, and 10 wt.% of randomly distributed Al₂O₃ fillers was developed. The finite element method was used to simulate the dielectric response and thermal conductivity of polymer nanocomposites with randomly distributed alumina nanofillers. The coordinates for the random placement of fillers within the Epoxy matrix were calculated in MATLAB and then imported to COMSOL Multiphysics. The electrical and thermal conductivity are discussed. It became evident that the outcomes of the FEA modeling were very much in line with the experimental findings.