Effect of AF Surface Nanostructure on AFRP Interface Properties Under Temperature: A MD Simulation Study.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Aramid fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites (AFRP) are crucial insulating components in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS).
• Elevated temperatures, from electrical and environmental factors, significantly degrade the interface between aramid fiber (AF) and epoxy resin (EP) in AFRP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of temperature on the interfacial properties of AF/EP composites using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.
• To explore the mechanisms by which nanoparticles (Al2O3, ZnO, CNT) enhance interfacial properties under thermal stress.

Main Methods:

• Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to model and analyze the AF/EP interface.
• The study examined the effects of temperature on interfacial van der Waals forces, binding energy, and wettability.
• The influence of three distinct nanoparticles (Al2O3, ZnO, CNT) on interfacial adhesion was evaluated.

Main Results:

• Increased temperature significantly reduces interfacial van der Waals forces and binding energy, worsening wettability between AF and EP.
• All three nanoparticles (Al2O3, ZnO, CNT) demonstrated an improvement in the interfacial adhesion of the AF/EP composite.
• Al2O3 and CNT exhibited more stable van der Waals forces at high temperatures due to their large dipole moments, mitigating adhesion loss.
• Al2O3 and ZnO maintained higher energy gaps and Mulliken charges than AF even at elevated temperatures, preserving interfacial insulation.

Conclusions:

• Temperature detrimentally affects AF/EP interfacial properties, primarily by weakening van der Waals interactions.
• Nanoparticle inclusion effectively enhances interfacial adhesion and mitigates thermal degradation effects in AFRP composites.
• Al2O3 and CNT show superior performance in maintaining interfacial stability and insulation properties at high temperatures.