Fabrication and Dielectric, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Composites Containing Surface-Passivated Silicon (Si/SiO2 Core/Shell Nanoparticles)

Composites of low-density polyethylene containing between 1 and 5 wt% of Si/SiO2 core/shell nanoparticles were prepared by ball milling method. The thermal, mechanical, and dielectric properties of composites were investigated in terms of composition, frequency, and temperature. The results showed that the dielectric permittivity increased smoothly with a rise of Si/SiO2 particle. The dielectric permittivity and loss decreases and increases with temperature, respectively. The resistance of composites to erosion due to partial discharge was significantly improved by adding nanoparticles. The results have demonstrated that ball milling was an effective method for producing relatively homogeneous nanocomposite up to 4 wt% Si/SiO2.