Title: Investigations into surface erosion characteristics and thermal stability of epoxy-based ZnO nanocomposites

Authors: Mihir N. Velani; Ritesh R. Patel

Addresses: Gujarat Technological University, Ahmedabad-382424, Gujarat, India; Department of Electrical Engineering, RK University, Rajkot, Gujarat, India ' Department of Electrical Engineering, G.H. Patel College of Engineering and Technology, Charutar Vidya Mandal University, Vallabh Vidhyanagar-388120, Gujarat, India

Abstract: The study examines the surface erosion characteristics and thermal stability of epoxy-based ZnO nanocomposites in various configurations. These include the effect of filler loading, co-loading of nano-micro fillers, and the synthesis process. The surface erosion experiments were conducted as per IEC60112, and the results were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was carried to determine the materials' thermal stability. It was observed that with the high filler contents, ZnO nanocomposites offered smaller craters and discontinuous conducting channels, impeding the bulk erosion of epoxy. In addition, the composite exhibited stronger interphase with the epoxy matrix delaying thermal degradation at lower temperatures. The co-loading of nano-micro fillers reduced the mobility of epoxy resins and resulted in superior discharge resistance and thermal stability than the micro composite. The nanocomposite synthesised with heated ZnO particles in a solvent-free approach showed thermal decomposition beyond 250°C, which was superior among all.

Keywords: filler loading; nano-micro fillers; synthesis process; thermal decomposition; tracking resistance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMATEI.2024.137544

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2024 Vol.15 No.1, pp.81 - 97

Received: 09 Jan 2023
Accepted: 13 Apr 2023
Published online: 25 Mar 2024 *

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