Department of Engineering

Chen Zou

Electrical & Electronic Power Group, Engineering Department, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH Email: cz16@le.ac.uk I was educated at Xi’an Jiaotong University China, and achieved a B.Sc. and a M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering. At present I'm doing my PhD in “the Development of Nanocomposite Dielectric Structures”. My research work is focused on the enhancement of dielectric properties by adding nanofillers. The reinforcement of polymers using fillers, whether inorganic or organic, is common in the production of modern plastics. Polymeric nanocomposites (PNCs) (or polymer nanostructured materials) represent a radical alternative to conventional-filled polymers or polymer blends. In contrast to the conventional systems where the reinforcement is on the order of microns, discrete constituents on the order of a few nanometers exemplify PNCs. In this case, nano-particles are the fundamental building blocks in the design and creation of assembled nano-gained larger scale structures with excellent compositional and interfacial flexibility. In our research, it turns out that interface is a key factor in determining the properties of nanocomposites. Composites have at least two phases within the polymers, a matrix phase (the base resin) and a dispersion phase (the filling components). The interfacial region between such two dielectric phases in contact is a nanometric system with properties that are invariably different from those of the bulk phases on either side. It is now recognized that one of the most important aspects of composite materials is the understanding of interface and interphase structures. Possible underlying mechanisms research is continued.

Author: Electrical Power Group Web Maintainer last update:20/02/2006.
This document has been approved by the Head of DepartmentAuthor:ast updAA
This document has been approved by the Head of Department.