Abstract
The field of nanotechnology has emerged as one of the most active technological areas worldwide, and interest in nanodielectrics has grown rapidly as a potential new generation of HV insulating materials with unique properties. Experimental progress in this field and the challenges facing practical implementation will be commented. A wide range of materials (largely nanofillers in a polymer matrix or intercalated or exfoliated layered natural or synthetic inorganics within a polymer matrix) are being evaluated by universities and industry, and several significant improvements in important electrical, mechanical, physical, and thermal properties were confirmed. This suggests that a number of HV insulation applications could benefit from such materials. However, some limitations have been identified which need to be understood and corrected or accommodated. The role of the nano-inorganic-polymer interface (dielectric and electronic properties, space charge mitigation, band-gap and charge injection effects, and morphology effects) will be considered. Based on this analysis, the ultimate potential that might be realized via nanodielectrics will be envisaged.
