Communication: Band bending at the interface in polyethylene-MgO nanocomposite dielectric

Polymer nanocomposite dielectrics are promising materials for electrical insulation in high voltage applications. However, the physics behind their performance is not yet fully understood. We use density functional theory to investigate the electronic properties of the interfacial area in magnesium oxide-polyethylene nanocomposite. Our results demonstrate polyethylene conduction band matching with conduction bands of different surfaces of magnesium oxide. Such band bending results in long range potential wells of up to 2.6 eV deep. Furthermore, the fundamental influence of silicon treatment on magnesium oxide surface properties is assessed. We report a reduction of the surface-induced states at the silicon-treated interface. The simulations provide information used to propose a new model for charge trapping in nanocomposite dielectrics.