Self-assembly 2D Montmorillonite Coating to Impede Charge Injection to Polystyrene

Abstract

The weak inter-chain interactions and long chain disorder facilitate the defect formation in the bulk and surface of polymers, limiting the breakdown strength, especially for polymers with amorphous morphology. Here we introduce a facile, flow-induced self-assembly of montmorillonite (MMT) nano-sheets coating on the surface of polystyrene (PS) films to modify the insulator-metal interface contact and impede charge injection to PS. Temperature dependent breakdown strength and pre-breakdown conduction were investigated to reveal the impact of the MMT coating. The self assembled 2D layered nano-coating provides an effective way to revive the schottky barrier for polymer dielectrics.