Electromagnetic modeling for insulating nanocomposites

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Project abstract

Low loss electric energy transportation is dependent on the properties of the materials used for electrical insulation. New polymeric nanocomposite materials have been shown to have superior properties as compared to the conventional insulating polymers. Nanocomposites are polymers mixed with crystalline nanoparticles. The resulting materials have high dielectric breakdown strength, low dielectric losses and robustness over time under high voltage at low frequencies. Since the nanocomposites have a complicated structure, the reasons of their performance are not yet clear. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of the behavior of these materials provides a tempting possibility of tailoring the materials with desired properties for a specific application.

The aim is to understand physics behind the nanocomposites performance, to define key factors influencing the studied materials behavior and to find a way to predict and to improve the properties of insulation.

Summary of work

We study insulation material on a nanoscopic level. Exploiting a technique called Density functional theory we model the electronic structure of an interface between a host polymeric matrix of a nanocomposite and its fillers – crystalline nanoparticles. We consider the influence of electronic energy band alignment between the filler and polymeric matrix on the electrical properties of the nanocomposites. This includes studies of the impact of interfacial chemical composition, presence of water, and chemical defects of the polymer. The results of the modelling allow us to explain the mechanisms of charge recombination and charge trapping in insulating nanocomposites and suggest the strategies for their improvement.

Event log

2014. Science communication award, Hermes summer school, UK

2015. Best poster award, ELEKTRA conference, Energiforsk, Sweden

2016. 4-months research visit at Imperial College London, UK

Project reference-group

Mikael Unge,  ABB
Lars Jonsson,  KTH

Publications by this researcher

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Impact of interfacial structure on the charge dynamics in nanocomposite dielectrics
Elena Kubyshkina,   Mikael Unge.
2019,   Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 125(4)

Ab initio modelling of interfaces in nanocomposites for high voltage insulation
Elena Kubyshkina.
2018,   Thesis (PhD), KTH Royal Institute of Technology,

ZnO-polyethylene interface : Band alignment
Elena Kubyshkina,   B. Lars G. Jonsson,   Mikael Unge.
2017,   2017 International Symposium on Electrical Insulating Materials, ISEIM 2017, Toyohashi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Toyohashi, Japan, 11 September 2017 through 15 September 2017

Communication : Band bending at the interface in polyethylene-MgO nanocomposite dielectric
Elena Kubyshkina,   Mikael Unge,   B. Lars G. Jonsson.
2017,   Journal of Chemical Physics, vol. 146(5)

Electronic properties of magnesium oxide-polyethylene interface
Elena Kubyshkina,   B. Lars G. Jonsson,   Mikael Unge.
2016,   1st IEEE International Conference on Dielectrics, ICD 2016, 3 July 2016 through 7 July 2016

Ab-initio Modeling of Interfacial Region in Nanocomposite Dielectrics
Elena Kubyshkina,   Lars Jonsson,   Mikael Unge.
2015,   33rd IEEE Electrical Insulation Conference (EIC), JUN 07-10, 2015, Seattle, WA

Publication list last updated from DiVA on 2024-01-10 15:21.

Page started: 2015-09-01
Last generated: 2024-01-10