Electrophysical characteristics of a polymer composite based on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene with CuO nanoparticles

The electrophysical properties of a composite material based on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene with a limited mass concentration of 0.5 wt% copper oxide CuO in the frequency range from 102 to 108 Hz were studied by impedance spectroscopy. It is assumed that the introduction of low concentrations of nanoparticles into the polymer composition contributes to their more uniform deposition on the surfaces of polymer granules. This makes it possible to reveal the most probable mechanisms of their polarization and the flow of electric current in a relatively homogeneous ensemble of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix during testing of such samples. It has been established that nanoparticles introduced into the polymer matrix have little effect on the processes of electric polarization, but lead to the appearance of frequency-dependent conductivity in a wide frequency range. This process is accompanied by a significant increase in dielectric losses. The electrophysical characteristics of the resulting composites are discussed taking into account the transfer of electric charges (ions or electrons) both along the internal and surface structures of CuO nanoparticles.