Electrical Conductivity and Dielectric Properties of Polymer Composites With Ordered Structure of Hybrid Metal/Carbon Filler

ABSTRACT The electrical and dielectric characteristics of LDPE‐based composites containing metallic nickel (Ni) and hybrid metal/carbon (Ni/A) fillers were investigated. The fillers formed the ordered phase in the polymer matrix, namely, a segregated 3D‐structure and a uniaxially oriented structure. The relationship between the conductivity ( σ ) and the dielectric constant ( ε ) of composites is described by a power‐law equation. The greatest influence on the electrical and dielectric properties of composites is exerted by a uniaxially‐oriented filler distribution where orientation occurs via a magnetic field. In this case, the hybrid Ni/A filler is more effective than Ni filler in increasing the dielectric constant, namely, a power exponent which indicates the relationship between σ and ε is 0.117 versus 0.055 for Ni filler. Analysis of literature data shows that various types of filled polymer composites are also described by power‐law relationships. The equation parameters depend on the type of conductive filler, its dispersion in the polymer matrix, its orientation (if any), and the nature and morphology of the polymer matrix.