The effect of annealing time on thermally stimulated discharge current of corona-charged ethyl cellulose

Abstract

Short circuit thermally stimulated discharge current (TSDC) has been recorded in corona-charged ethyl cellulose foil samples at different annealing time. An analysis of the data reveals significant changes in the TSDC curves of the samples as a function of annealing time. The possible relaxation processes accounting for the changes are discussed, not only a shift of peak temperature of the observed peak to higher temperatures, but also a lowering in its height has been observed with increase in annealing time. Peak temperature higher than 343 K did not arise even for the annealing time of 240 h. The activation energy (A) has been found to increase, while the trapped charge carrier nt decrease with increase in annealing time. Linear relationship between ln A and nt indicated an exponential distribution of traps.