Binding energies of trapped charges in PVDF and P(VDF/TrFE)

The remanent polarization in PVDF and P(VDF/TrFE) is stabilized by trapped charges. We measured the remanent polarization P as function of temperature during heating from room temperature to 180/spl deg/C. The discharge current is then computed as the first derivative -dP/dT. Assuming a Debye relaxation and a continuous distribution of binding energies g(E) of the trapped charges we can show that the discharge current I(T) is proportional to g(E=mT), with m=const. The constant m can either be calculated numerically or by analytical approximation, With this method the distribution g(E) can be determined. These data are consistent with the extraordinary long life time of the remanent polarisation in PVDF and P(VDF/TrFE) at room temperature.