Charge injection mitigation in polyethylene induced by silver nanoparticles containing organosilicon barrier layer as demonstrated by conductivity measurements

Injection mitigation in low density polyethylene (LDPE) films by plasma processed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) containing plasma polymer composites was recently reported through space charge measurements. The barrier effect to charge injection has been assigned to the creation of permanent deep traps by introducing silver nanoparticles near the polyethylene surface. For completeness, current measurements realized on LDPE films with and without AgNPs have been carried out. Presence of the composite layers reduces the current density by one order of magnitude. These results strengthen the interpretation of the barrier effect based on space charge stabilized by deep traps formed by the AgNPs.