Effects of water on breakdown characteristics of polyethylene composites

The current work investigated the effects of oxide- and nitride-based silicon nanoparticles on the water absorption and dielectric breakdown characteristics of low density polyethylene (LDPE). The results showed that hydrophobic LDPE, when added with silicon dioxide nanoparticles, became prone to water absorption. In contrast, LDPE, when added with silicon nitride nanoparticles, attracted much less water. These water absorption behaviors consequently affected the breakdown characteristics of the materials, where LDPE with silicon dioxide nanoparticles showed lower breakdown strength than LDPE with silicon nitride nanoparticles. These differences are discussed based on the surface chemistries of the nanoparticles.