Charge transport and accumulation in clay-containing LDPE nanocomposites

This paper discusses the charge transport and accumulation in clay-containing LDPE (low density polyethylene) nanocomposites. LDPE is shown to host charges of both polarities in the form of homo and heterocharge when subjected to high electric fields. The addition of nanoclays has been shown to always increase the high field DC conductivity of the nanocomposites. This is shown to actually work in favor of the ability of the material to prevent the accumulation of space charge by slowly, but persistently, allowing space charges to flow across the insulation wall. However, in severe conditions of a combined high electric field and high temperature, the current flow exceeds a threshold where massive injected charges negatively impact the charge profile and the electric field distribution is greatly distorted.