Preparation and dielectric properties of surface modified TiO2/silicone rubber nanocomposites

A TiO2/silicone rubber (SR) nanocomposite was prepared via three-roll grinding followed compressive molding technology. The TiO2 nanoparticles were chemically modified with silane couple agent and the modification effect on the dielectric and mechanical properties of the resultant composites was investigated. The results showed that the electrical breakdown strength and ultimate tensile strength of the modified TiO2 (m-TiO2)/SR nanocomposites enhanced significantly while the dielectric loss decreased relative to the naked TiO2 (n-TiO2)/SR nanocomposites. These results were well correlated to the uniform dispersion state of the m-TiO2 as well as the remarkably enhanced interfacial interaction thanks to the presence of the silane couple agent. Crown Copyright (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.