Abstract
A new method of increasing the durability and reliability of polymer dielectrics has been proposed by designing a composite structure of the micro and nano particles. The synergistic effects of the micro particles and nano particles are found to enhance the resistance to electrical tree and extend the lifetime of polymer dielectrics for insulations. Epoxy loaded with the micro and nano SiO2 particles at different concentrations are prepared as micro-nano composites. The micro particles show the blocking effects on the electrical tree channel and the interfaces of the nano particles lead to the inhibiting effects on the tree inception and propagation. The lifetime of the micro-nano composite samples in the experiments extends to 4 times of the neat epoxy. The new type of micro-nano composites can be widely applied in future electronic and electrical energy areas.