Charge formation in PE/ionomer blends

The charge formation and decay in polyethylene (PE)/ionomer blends have been investigated in an effort to understand the different TSC behaviors of these blends. It is shown that heterocharges are the main charge carriers accumulated in the low-density PE (LDPE), while homocharges are the main charge carriers in ionomers and blends. The charges in LDPE are located mainly at the surface region, while those in ionomers and blends penetrate more deeply into the specimen; this is attributed to the ionic phases such as carbonyl groups and ionic clusters in ionomers. It has been also found that, in PE/Surlyn 1601 blend, a considerable amount of charge formed during the voltage application migrates inside the specimen when the voltage is turned off.<
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