High Polarization Levels Research Articles

A Divergence Model for Heterocharge Electret Formation in Polyelectrolyte‐Polyvinyl Alcohol Membranes: Results for Sodium‐ and Potassium‐Polystyrenesulfonate

A model has been developed to explain the extremely high levels of persistent electrical polarization obtained for membranes containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and either sodium polystyrenesulfonate (PSSNa) or potassium polystyrenesulfonate (PSSK). The model assumes the presence of divergence elements, probably of a semicrystalline nature, scattered throughout a homogeneous membrane matrix. Assuming that only about 2–5% of the possible divergence elements actually contribute, the model predicts values of polarization which fit the PSSNa experimental data extremely well. The model fits the PSSK data well only when a dipole separation distance for PSSK of about 7.1Å is assumed. This large dipole separation distance for PSSK probably results from the fact that the affinity of K+ for the OH groups on PVA results in a deviation from the average composition within the divergence elements, an effect not included in the model.