Aromatic voltage stabilizers can improve the dielectric properties of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE); however, their poor compatibility with XLPE hinders their practical application. Improving the compatibility of aromatic voltage stabilizers with XLPE has, therefore, become a new research goal. Herein 1-(4-vinyloxy)phenylethenone (VPE) was prepared and characterized. It can be grafted onto polyethylene molecules during the cross-linking processes to promote stability of the aromatic voltage stabilizers in XLPE. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that VPE was successfully grafted onto XLPE, and effectively inhibited thermal migration. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the grafted VPE/XLPE composite exhibits a better thermal stability than a VPE/PE blend composite. Evaluation of the electrical properties showed that the breakdown strength and electrical tree initiation voltage of the VPE/XLPE composite were increased by 15.5% and 39.6%, respectively, when compared to those of bare XLPE. After thermal aging, the breakdown strength and electrical tree initiation voltage of the VPE/XLPE composite were increased by 9.4% and 25.8%, respectively, in comparison to those of bare XLPE, which indicates that the grafted voltage stabilizer can effectively inhibit its migration and enhance the stability of the composite material.

Acetophenone can significantly improve the dielectric properties of polyethylene (PE) insulation materials. However, it easily migrates from the PE due to its poor compatibility with the material, which limits its application. In this paper, the functional units of acetophenone were modified in polystyrene-b-poly(ethylene-co-butylene)-b-polystyrene (SEBS) by an acetylation reaction, and SEBS was used as the carrier to inhibit the migration of acetophenone. The number of functional units in the acetylated SEBS (Ac-SEBS) was measured by ¹H NMR and the effect of the acetylation degree of SEBS on its compatibility with PE was studied. Meanwhile, the effects of Ac-SEBS on PE’s direct current (DC) breakdown strength and space charge accumulation characteristics were investigated. It is demonstrated that Ac-SEBS can significantly improve the field strength of the DC breakdown and inhibit the accumulation of space charge in the PE matrix. This work provides a new approach for the application of aromatic compounds as voltage stabilizers in DC insulation cable materials.