Towards building a structure-properties prediction tool for nanodielectrics

PMMA based nanocomposites with 2 wt% silica nanoparticle loading were used as a model amorphous thermoplastic system to study the impact of melt mixing conditions on nanofiller dispersion and dielectric properties. The filler dispersion was varied by altering the filler/matrix enthalpic attraction with short molecules on the nanofiller surface and varying the extruder processing conditions. The nanofiller dispersion was quantified using TEM images and quantitative image analysis of interfacial area and cluster size. Trends between dispersion and dielectric properties (dielectric breakdown strength and permittivity) were studied.