Electrical conduction properties of PP-based nanocomposite with high thermal conductivity for HVDC cable insulation

Abstract This paper reports on thermal and electrical conduction properties of polypropylene (PP)-based nanocomposite used for high voltage direct current cable insulation. To improve the thermal conductivity of the PP/propylene-based elastomer (PBE) blend (noted as PB), boron nitride (BN) nanosheets with high thermal conductivity are added. The pretreatment process through template method is to obtain a three-dimensional (3D) network structure composed of BN nanosheets (noted as 3DBN). Then the 3DBN is added into the PP/ PBE blend, in which the 3D networks are locally arranged and the other BN nanosheets are randomly dispersed. Thermal conductivity is estimated, while electrical conductivity is measured under electric fields of 5–40 kV mm −1 at various temperatures. Carrier trap distribution is derived from isothermal surface potential decay method. In addition, the microstructure and crystallization characteristics of the nanocomposites are measured. The results show that the thermal conductivity of the PP/PBE blend is improved obviously by the addition of the locally arranged 3DBN, and that of PB-3DBN-10 is increased by 16% compared with that of PB. Deep traps are introduced by the dispersed BN nanosheets and the electrical conduction is reduced, which becomes increasingly evident with the filler content and temperature. It is suggested that the introduction of thermal conductive fillers with a 3D network structure and well-dispersed state can synergistically enhance the thermal conductivity and insulation performances of the PP-based material.