Investigation of AC and DC Electrical Conductivity in Ethyl Cellulose (EC) and Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) Polyblends

Abstract

The study of AC and DC electrical conductivity is crucial for understanding the behavior of charge carriers within materials and their mobility. Ethyl cellulose (EC) stands out among cellulose ethers due to its favorable electrical, mechanical, and weathering properties. Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) is a thermoplastic known for its rigidity, transparency, and outdoor durability, making it a valuable material. Despite being insulating materials, both EC and PMMA exhibit limited free charge carriers and low mobility. In this research, AC and DC electrical properties of Ethyl Cellulose (EC), Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA), and their blends doped with tetrahydrofuran (THF) film were investigated using isothermal evaporation techniques. The investigation focused on the effects of temperature, electric field, and frequency on electrical conduction mechanisms. Measurements were conducted across frequencies ranging from 1 KHz to 1 MHz at temperatures between 323 K and 373 K. Results indicate that AC electrical conductivity of Ethyl Cellulose (EC), Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA), and their blend (EC/PMMA) increases with higher frequencies of the applied electric field. Meanwhile, DC electrical conductivity of Ethyl Cellulose (EC), Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA), and their blend (EC/PMMA) rises with increasing temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis further supports these conductivity changes in the blend.