A review on polyimide reinforced nanocomposites for mechanical, thermal, and electrical insulation application: challenges and recommendations for future improvement

Polyimide nanocomposites have drawn much attention as mechanical, thermal, and electrical insulation materials due to its superior dielectric, thermal stability, and corona resistance properties. The polyimide nanocomposites are defined as substance of polyimide matrix reinforced with certain weight percent of nanofillers. Researchers have demonstrated the usage of polyimide nanocomposites in mechanical, thermal, and electrical insulation application. However, the nanocomposites are noted to face interfacial bonding issues, which have affected their mechanical performance for thermal and electrical insulation properties. The dielectric behaviour and corona resistance lifetime of the polyimide nanocomposites are reportedly degraded over a long-term exposure to high-temperature environment. Although, there have been an advancement on improving the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of polyimide nanocomposites for multifunctional insulations. This review summarises the effects of nanofillers, such as silica (SiO2), titania (TiO2), alumina (Al2O3), graphene’s, nanotubes, boron nitride and some other fillers on the mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of polyimide nanocomposites for insulation application. The authors concluded the review with advancement, challenges and recommendations for future improvement of polyimide nanocomposites as an insulation material. Thus, the review study offers discernment into the improvement and selection of polyimide nanocomposites material for mechanical, thermal, and electrical insulation. More so, the review will also give a way for further research.