Anthrone/XLPE: an adaptive charge capture intelligent insulation material for advanced electric power transmission

The degradation of electrical insulation is mainly attributed to local defects. Although incorporating organic small molecules into dielectric polymers promotes the insulation strength, accurate suppression of defect development is a long-term and formidable challenge. Here we utilize the adaptive charge capture methodology to achieve precise defect suppression, leading to a 123% increase in the initiation voltage of electrical trees in anthrone/cross-linked polyethylene, significantly outperforming existing dielectric polymers and polymer composites. A significant observation is the confinement of charge at the interface between the anode and cross-linked polyethylene in anthrone/cross-linked polyethylene, generating a reverse inherent electric field near the interface and reducing the internal electric field strength of cross-linked polyethylene by up to 18%. These findings not only open avenues for further exploration of materials for ultra-high voltage cables but also play a crucial role in the commercialization and practical application of organic semiconductors in insulation dielectrics.