Thermal hysteresis in the dielectric properties of composites based on transition metal oxide and sulfide nanoparticles stabilized in a low-density polyethylene matrix

We have studied the temperature dependence of the complex dielectric permittivity of composites based on a low-density polyethylene matrix containing dispersed nanoparticles of zinc oxide and manganese oxide and an analogous composite with nanoparticles of cadmium sulfide. Laws governing the electric conduction and dielectric polarization as functions of the temperature and the size of nanoparticles are established and a possible mechanism responsible for the appearance of thermal hysteresis of the dielectric properties in the materials studied is proposed.