There is an extremely urgent demand in the realm of power equipment

including power transformers

motors

and cables. Specifically

there is a pressing need for cellulose-based composite insulating paper that can exhibit high thermal conductivity

superior mechanical properties

and robust insulation characteristics. In response to this demand

this study adopted a ‘simulation-guided experimental research’ methodology. Firstly

based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations

nano-kaolin (KL)/cellulose composite models with different contents were constructed. Then

according to the simulation results

the corresponding proportions of nano-KL/cellulose insulating paper were prepared. The simulation and experimental findings further reveal a significant effect of nano-KL. To be more precise

nano-KL can effectively fill the microscopic defects and voids within the cellulose structure. Moreover

nano-KL forms an orderly and regular thermal conductivity network in conjunction with cellulose. As a result

this network structure elevates the paper's overall thermal conductivity. Owing to its low-dielectric-loss characteristics

nano-KL reduces the microscopic charge polarisation phenomenon within the composite structure. It curbs the migration of electrons

alleviates the concentration of electric field stress

and ultimately improves the electrical insulation performance of the modified insulating paper. Notably

the 4 wt% nano-KL/cellulose insulating paper exhibits optimal performance

and its tensile strength

thermal conductivity

volume resistivity

dielectric loss

and breakdown strength are 55.81 MPa

0.201 W·m−1·K−1

4.58 × 1015 Ω·m

0.25%

and 57.81 kV/mm. This study demonstrates MD simulations' feasibility and effectiveness in providing theories and protocols for experiments.