Effect of Stoichiometry on AC and DC Breakdown of Silicon Nitride/Epoxy Nanocomposites

This study investigates the electrical behavior of silicon nitride/epoxy nanocomposites. It is demonstrated that presence nanofiller affects resin/hardener stoichiometry, which results in development different network structures throughout matrix polymer. However, detailed analysis shows this stoichiometric effect cannot account, alone, for observed changes nanocomposite samples. A comparison between filled and unfilled samples, where appropriate compensation has been applied, indicates there an additional exclusively a function loading superimposed on any chemistry effects. Potential explanations nanoparticle are discussed, including agglomeration, water shells around nanoparticles, influence nanoparticles dynamics, structure or free volume content polymer interphase.