Long-distance transport of electricity from wind farms and other renewable energy sources requires efficient distribution networks with low transmission losses. Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) has been identified as a conjugated polymer material with superior properties for insulating high-voltage DC (HVDC) cables to greatly reduce their conductivity and enhance power delivery.

The material was demonstrated to function as an efficient conductivity-reducing additive for polyethylene, which improves the insulation properties of the commodity polymer used to insulate HVDC cables. The material synthesized by adding P3HT to the polyethylene insulation, at a ratio of just 5 ppm was found to deliver a threefold reduction in electrical conductivity of pure polyethylene insulation.

The inclusion of such a small concentration of P3HT lends itself to cost-effective use for this application and increases prospects for recycling.

Scientists from Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden), University of Bologna (Italy), Borealis AB (Sweden) and Lund University (Sweden) contributed to this research, which is published in Advanced Materials.