Hybrid nanocomposites of a molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) based hydrophobic filler for a robust self-cleaning effect

This work has been sought to improve the self-cleaning effect in insulators and insulating covers made of polymer material used in electric supply facilities by modifying their surface hydrophobicity. The multilayers 2D nanosheet MoS₂ was exfoliated into a single or several layers to obtain a highly flexible nanostructure. MoS₂-intermediate derivate was formed by disulfide bonds via a reaction between the thiol groups of cysteine and the sulfide groups of the outer layers of MoS₂. This MoS₂-intermediate derivate was reacted with polydimethylsiloxane to fabricate hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites fillers, then, the adhesion, mechanical strength, and surface roughness were determined. A 7.5 wt% nanofiller-containing polymeric insulator and insulating cover exhibited an increasing in receding contact angle of about 20°–36° compared to the pristine material. This work demonstrated the self-cleaning properties as in terms of their high voltage tracking resistance, insulation strength, breakdown voltage and strength, and weatherability effects afforded by the nanocomposite fillers.