Electrical conduction in low-density polyethylene

Charge transport in additive-free low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was investigated by examining the behavior of both steady-state and transient currents as well as thermally stimulated discharge currents (TSDCs). The transient current behavior indicated space-charge-limited current (SCLC). The carrier mobility calculated from the transient SCLC curves was in agreement with other measurements and was found to increase with the square of the applied voltage. log I versus log V plots of isochronal measurements showed a straight line of gradient 3. This would appear to indicate an SCLC process. TSDC and transient discharge current results revealed that double injection can occur in LDPE, which could influence the variation of carrier mobility with applied voltage and would be characterized by curvature in the log I versus log V plots at high fields.<
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