To
improve the electrical properties of linear low-density polyethylene/linear
low-density polyethylene-graft-polystyrene (LLDPE/LLDPE-g-PS) blends, carboxylic acid (−COOH) functional
polystyrene (PS)-poly(styrene-co-p-acryloyoxybenzoic
acid) (P(St-co-ABA)) was prepared by the copolymerization
method. The effects of functional PS on the electrical and other properties
of LLDPE/LLDPE-g-PS blends were systematically investigated.
X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)
results showed the addition of the copolymer had little influence
on the crystal form and crystal size but increased the crystallinity
degree of LLDPE/LLDPE-g-PS. Compared with LLDPE/LLDPE-g-PS blends, the dielectric constant and the dielectric
loss tangent almost had no change. Due to the introduction of a polar
group, the breakdown strength of blends was enhanced dramatically
with an enhancement of 14.98%. Also, the space charge accumulation
was suppressed obviously with a minimum mean volume charge density
of 1.35 C/cm3. This supplies a serviceable means to obtain
the high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable insulating materials.