<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">AMPC</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>Advances in Materials Physics and Chemistry</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2162-531X</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/ampc.2018.810026</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">AMPC-87821</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Chemistry&amp;Materials Science</subject><subject> Physics&amp;Mathematics</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  Effect of Polarity on Volume Conductivity of Polymers, Determined by Corona Triode Method
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Pranvera</surname><given-names>Dhima</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Floran</surname><given-names>Vila</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff1"><addr-line>Laboratory of Institute of Communication Technology, University of Technology, Darmstadt, Germany</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff2"><addr-line>Department of Physics, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania</addr-line></aff><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>12</day><month>10</month><year>2018</year></pub-date><volume>08</volume><issue>10</issue><fpage>387</fpage><lpage>400</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>14,</day>	<month>September</month>	<year>2018</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>13,</day>	<month>October</month>	<year>2018</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>16,</day>	<month>October</month>	<year>2018</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
   
   In this paper, the effect of polarity on the volume conductivity of Kapton and polyethylene (PE), determined using the corona triode method, when the sample current depends linearly on grid potential, was studied. For the determination of 
   
   volume conductivity, in addition to the analytical method, for the first time, a graphical method is presented as well. According to the experimental results, obtained by both methods, the volume conductivity values of negative corona charged samples were higher than those of the samples charged by positive corona
   .
    Considering
    
   the different nature of positive and negative coronas, these differences in results are to be expected and are in full accordance with the theoretical considerations as well. On the other hand, the good agreement between the analytical method results and those obtained by the graphical method, indicates high accuracy of the proposed analytical formula. Meanwhile, the satisfying accordance of experimental results with those found by the classical “static” and “dynamic” methods, confirms the accuracy of the corona method, for the determination of volume conductivity of polymers. 
  
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Positive Corona</kwd><kwd> Negative Corona</kwd><kwd> Volume Conductivity</kwd><kwd> Kapton</kwd><kwd>  Polyethylene</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>Kapton and PE, that are ideally suited for various applications in different industries due to their electrical, physical, and mechanical properties combination, were chosen as subject of this study [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref1">1</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref2">2</xref>] .</p><p>The volume conductivity is considered to be a parameter of great importance among the electrical properties of polymers. In addition to the classic “static” methods (system of electrodes) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref3">3</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref4">4</xref>] , and the “dynamic” methods, based on electron-beam irradiation effect, in thin polymeric films [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref5">5</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref6">6</xref>] , traditionally used to determine the volume conductivity, the corona triode method [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref7">7</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref8">8</xref>] has resulted to be very effective as well.</p><p>In this paper, the effect of the corona polarity on volume conductivity of Kapton and PE, determined by the corona triode method, when the sample current depends linearly on grid potential, is studied.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Theoretical Considerations</title>Positive and Negative Corona Discharge<p>The corona discharge is described in details in [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref9">9</xref>] . Meanwhile, the generation mechanisms of positive and negative corona discharges (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>(a) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>(b)), are somewhat different [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref10">10</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref11">11</xref>] .</p><p>A common feature of both positive and negative corona is the electron avalanche produced in a gas ionization process, due to collisions between electrons and neutral molecules, when the electric field exceeds a critical value. During this process, unipolar ions of the same polarity as the corona electrode are also produced. While in the case of the positive corona, electrons move towards corona electrode and unipolar ions are propelled towards the sample surface, the opposite happens in the case of negative polarity [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref9">9</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref12">12</xref>] .</p><p>In the case of a positive corona discharge in air, under atmospheric pressure conditions, the ions accumulated on the sample surface are mostly H + ( H 2 O ) n , whereas in negative corona discharge, CO 3 − ions are generated [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref9">9</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref13">13</xref>] .</p></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Experimental Method</title><sec id="s3_1"><title>3.1. Experimental Setup</title><p>The corona charging of the samples was carried out using the corona triode system (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>(a) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>(c)), which consists of a corona electrode, a grounded electrode and a metallic grid inserted between them for controlling the level of surface potential as well as for improving the charges uniformity on the charged surface [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref9">9</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref14">14</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref15">15</xref>] .</p><p>The corona electrode, energized from a DC high-voltage supply (FUG HCN 14-12500), at &#177;10 kV, was positioned at 70 mm over the grid. Meanwhile, the grid connected at different DC potentials (Model 240 A, Keithley Instruments) of the same polarity as that of the corona electrode, was situated at 10 mm over the grounded electrode. The sample charging current was measured using a digital picoampere meter (Model 445, Keithley Instruments). The samples were charged for 30 s and immediately after the charging operation, the surface potential was measured using an electrostatic voltmeter (Model 244, equipped with a probe model 1017), without any physical contact (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>(b) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>(d)).</p></sec><sec id="s3_2"><title>3.2. Materials Tested</title><p>Kapton and PE samples used in experiments were cut into square sheets of 2.5 cm side length of 75 μm and 50 μm thickness, respectively. The accepted dielectric constant ( ε ) values for Kapton and PE are 3.5 [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref16">16</xref>] , and 2.25 [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref17">17</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref18">18</xref>] , respectively.</p><p>Polyimide films, commercially known as Kapton, maintain their properties over a wide range of environment temperatures of −269˚C to 400˚C [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref19">19</xref>] , where the other polymers would not be functional. This has made them suitable for various applications in different industries, extending their application areas with new design possibilities. It provides high resistance to chemicals and organic solvents [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref20">20</xref>] , with the only disadvantage of its moderately high moisture absorption [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref19">19</xref>] .</p><p>PE is the most widely used thermoplastic polymer [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref18">18</xref>] because it posseses a unique combination of properties like light weight, high chemical and abrasion resistance, low moisture permeability, that makes it ideal for a variety of applications [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref21">21</xref>] .</p><p>One face of the sample was coated by an aluminum foil, to provide a good electrical contact with the grounded electrode on which were laid. For each measurement, new samples cleaned with isopropanol were used.</p></sec><sec id="s3_3"><title>3.3. Experimental Results</title><p>The volume conductivity of Kapton and PE is determined by the corona triode method, described in details in [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref7">7</xref>] . The dependencies of the current flowing through the sample I ( t ) , and its surface potential V ( 0 , t ) , from the grid potential V g , for both polarities, were experimentally revealed. The corresponding graphs, fitted with linear functions of the following types:</p><p>I ( t ) = C V g (1)</p><p>and</p><p>V ( 0 , t ) = k V g + V 0 , (2)</p><p>are presented in Figures 3(a), Figures 3(b) and Figures 4(a), Figures 4(b), for Kapton and PE, respectively.</p><p>The experimental constants C, k and V<sub>0</sub> can be determined numerically from curves fitting equations.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s4"><title>4. Determination of Volume Conductivity</title><sec id="s4_1"><title>4.1. Graphical Determination of Volume Conductivity</title><p>The sample was charged by the above described corona triode. According to the theory developed by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref7">7</xref>] , the relationship between the current intensity I ( t ) at a moment of time t, and the surface potential V ( 0 , t ) , caused by that part of charges that arrives at the surface of the sample and get trapped, is:</p><p>d d t V ( 0 , t ) + γ ε 0 ε V ( 0 , t ) = h ε 0 a 2 I ( t ) , (3)</p><p>where, γ and a are volume conductivity and the length side of the square sample, respectively. Meanwhile, the other notations are the same as defined before.</p><p>In view of the fittings of the experimental results from Equation (1) and Equation (2), the differential Equation (3) can be written in the following form:</p><p>d V ( 0 , t ) d t + ( C 2 − C 3 ) V ( 0 , t ) + C 3 V 0 = 0 , (4)</p><p>where,</p><p>C 2 = γ ε 0 ε , (5)</p><p>C 3 = h C 1 ε 0 a 2 , (6)</p><p>and</p><p>C 1 = C / k . (7)</p><p>The solution of the differential Equation (4), with the assumption that:</p><p>C 3 [ V ( 0 , t ) − V 0 ] − C 2 V ( 0 , t ) &gt; 0 , (8)</p><p>which is in full accordance with the experimental facts, is given by:</p><p>C 3 [ V ( 0 , t ) − V 0 ] − C 2 V ( 0 , t ) C 2 V 0 = exp [ ( C 3 − C 2 ) t ] . (9)</p><p>In Equation (9), C 2 is the unknown quantity. Denoting:</p><p>x = C 3 − C 2 (10)</p><p>and</p><p>n = V ( 0 , t ) V 0 &gt; 1 , (11)</p><p>then, Equation (9) can be written as:</p><p>n x − C 3 C 3 − x = exp ( x t ) . (12)</p><p>Solving graphicaly the Equation (12) allows us to determine x. Meanwhile, considering Equation (5) and Equation (10), the volume conductivity γ g , the object of our study, can be determined by the graphical method:</p><p>γ g = ε 0 ε ( C 3 − x ) . (13)</p><p>In view of Equation (8), Equation (10) and Equation (11), it derives that n x − C 3 &gt; 0 and C 3 − x &gt; 0 . Thus:</p><p>C 3 n &lt; x &lt; C 3 . (14)</p><p>The Equation (13) and the Equation (14), show that volume conductivity lies within the interval:</p><p>0 &lt; γ g &lt; ε 0 ε C 3 ( n − 1 n ) . (15)</p><p>Thus, the volume conductivity, can be graphically determined by formula (13) and the theoretical interval within which it is likely to be, conditioned by the extremum values of x, is given by Equation (15).</p></sec><sec id="s4_2"><title>4.2. Analytical Determination of Volume Conductivity</title><p>In accordance with [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref7">7</xref>] , the volume conductivity, analytically can be determined by the formula:</p><p>γ a = ε 0 ε k 0 ( n − 1 ) t [ k 0 + k ( n + 1 ) ] , (16)</p><p>accepting only those experimental facts that satisfy the Equation (17) and Equation (18):</p><p>k &gt; k 0 1 + k 0 , (17)</p><p>1 1 − k &lt; n &lt; k + k 1 k 1 , (18)</p><p>where:</p><p>k 0 = C C 0 t , (19)</p><p>C 0 = h / ε 0 a 2 (20)</p><p>and</p><p>k 1 = V 0 / ( V g ) max . (21)</p><p>While, the theoretical interval of the volume conductivity determined by analytical method, that is conditioned by the extremum values of n, is given in the following form [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref7">7</xref>] :</p><p>ε 0 ε k 0 k t ( 1 k + α ) &lt; γ a &lt; ε 0 ε k 0 k t ( 1 k 2 + β ) , (22)</p><p>where,</p><p>α = ( k 0 + k ) ( 1 − k ) (23)</p><p>and</p><p>β = k 1 ( k 0 + 2 k ) . (24)</p></sec></sec><sec id="s5"><title>5. Calculation Results and Analysis</title><sec id="s5_1"><title>5.1. Experimental Constants</title><p><xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref> and <xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref> represent the experimental constants obtained from curves fitting (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref> and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>) for both polarities, for Kapton and PE, respectively. The experimental constants result to be in full accordance with Equation (17) and Equation (18).</p><table-wrap id="table1" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref></label><caption><title> The values of experimental constants obtained from curves fitting for Kapton, for both polarities</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="2"  >Corona polarity</th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="7"  >Experimental Constants</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >C 0 ( 10 10   Ω ⋅ s − 1 )</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >C ( 10 − 13   Ω − 1 )</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >V 0 ( V )</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >k ( 10 − 1 )</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >k 0 ( 10 − 2 )</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >k 1 ( 10 − 3 )</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Positive</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.36</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.41</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.8</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.75</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.8</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Negative</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.36</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.91</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.9</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >8.5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.79</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.9</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><table-wrap id="table2" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table2">Table 2</xref></label><caption><title> The values of experimental constants obtained from curves fitting for PE, for both polarities</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="2"  >Corona polarity</th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="7"  >Experimental Constants</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >C 0 ( 10 9   Ω ⋅ s − 1 )</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >C ( 10 − 13   Ω − 1 )</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >V 0 ( V )</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >k ( 10 − 1 )</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >k 0 ( 10 − 2 )</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >k 1 ( 10 − 4 )</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Positive [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref7">7</xref>]</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9.04</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.50</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9.3</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.07</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9.09</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >Negative</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9.04</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.65</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9.6</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.47</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >24.0</td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap></sec><sec id="s5_2"><title>5.2. Graphical Solutions</title><p><xref ref-type="table" rid="table3">Table 3</xref> represents the acceptable solution x, of Equation (12), for every grid potential value, for Kapton and PE and for both corona polarities.</p></sec><sec id="s5_3"><title>5.3. Calculation of Volume Conductivity</title>Graphical Calculation<p>In the case of Kapton, the 99% confidence intervals, for volume resistivity determined by the graphical method, γ ( g ) , for positive and negative polarity, are 6.12 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ + ( g ) &lt; 7.88 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 and 7.38 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ − ( g ) &lt; 9.44 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 , respectively. While both polarities are involved, the 99% confidence interval for γ ( g ) is 7.38 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ &#177; ( g ) &lt; 7.88 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 .</p><p>In the case of PE, the 99% confidence interval, for volume resistivity determined by the graphical method, γ ( g ) , is 2.29 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ + ( g ) &lt; 2.90 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 for positive polarity and 2.41 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ − ( g ) &lt; 3.07 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 for that negative. When both polarities are involved, the 99% confidence interval for γ ( g ) is 2.41 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ &#177; ( g ) &lt; 2.90 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 .</p>Analytical Calculation<p>In the case of Kapton, the 99% confidence intervals, for volume resistivity determined by the analytical method, γ ( a ) , for positive and negative polarity, are 5.95 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ + ( a ) &lt; 7.85 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 and 7.21 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ − ( a ) &lt; 9.42 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 , respectively. The 99% confidence interval for γ ( a ) is 7.21 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ &#177; ( a ) &lt; 7.85 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 , when both polarities are involved.</p><p>In the case of PE, the 99% confidence intervals, for volume resistivity determined by the analytical method, γ ( a ) , for positive and negative polarity, are 2.52 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ + ( a ) &lt; 2.90 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 and 2.85 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ − ( a ) &lt; 3.07 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 , respectively. Meanwhile, the 99% confidence interval for γ ( a ) is 2.85 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ &#177; ( a ) &lt; 2.90 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 , when both polarities are involved.</p><p>In the case of Kapton, the 99% confidence interval, for volume resistivity determined involving both methods, γ ( g , a ) , is 6.12 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ + ( g , a ) &lt; 7.85 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 for positive polarity, and 7.38 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ − ( g , a ) &lt; 9.42 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 for negative polarity. Whilst, in the case of PE, these confidence intervals are 2.52 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ + ( g , a ) &lt; 2.90 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 and 2.85 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ − ( g , a ) &lt; 3.07 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 , for positive and negative polarity, respectively.</p><p>Finally, the 99% confidence intervals for volume resistivity including both methods and polarities, γ &#177; ( g , a ) , are 7.38 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ &#177; ( g , a ) &lt; 7.85 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 and 2.85 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 &lt; γ &#177; ( g , a ) &lt; 2.90 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 , for Kapton and PE, respectively.</p><table-wrap id="table3" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table3">Table 3</xref></label><caption><title> Graphical solution of Equation (12), for every grid potential value, for Kapton and PE</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" ></th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="5"  >Kapton</th><th align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="5"  >PE</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle"  rowspan="2"  >V g ( V )</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >Positive</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="3"  >Negative</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="3"  >Positive</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >Negative</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >n</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >x ( V − 1 ⋅ s − 1 )</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >n</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >x ( V − 1 ⋅ s − 1 )</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >n</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >x ( V − 1 ⋅ s − 1 )</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >n</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >x ( V − 1 ⋅ s − 1 )</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >100</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >32.86</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >1.52 &#215; 10 − 4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >52.11</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.15 &#215; 10 − 4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >96</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.01 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >40.83</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.42 &#215; 10 − 5</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >200</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >47.50</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >1.06 &#215; 10 − 4</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >103.16</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.88 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >182</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.60 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >82.08</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.73 &#215; 10 − 5</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >300</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >88.93</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >5.70 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >133.68</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.55 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >275</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.06 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >123.33</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.49 &#215; 10 − 5</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >400</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >96.79</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >5.24 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >162.11</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.75 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >380</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.66 &#215; 10 − 6</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >163.33</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.89 &#215; 10 − 5</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >500</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >147.14</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >3.46 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >218.95</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.78 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >469</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >6.21 &#215; 10 − 6</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >207.08</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.49 &#215; 10 − 5</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >600</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >152.50</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >3.34 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >257.37</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >2.37 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >580</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >5.03 &#215; 10 − 6</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >218.33</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.41 &#215; 10 − 5</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >700</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >187.86</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >2.71 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >319.47</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.91 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >637</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >4.58 &#215; 10 − 6</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >290.42</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.06 &#215; 10 − 5</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >800</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >216.79</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >2.35 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >354.74</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.72 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >733</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.98 &#215; 10 − 6</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >312.50</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9.89 &#215; 10 − 6</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >900</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >251.43</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >2.03 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >422.63</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.44 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >810</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.60 &#215; 10 − 6</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >372.50</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >8.30 &#215; 10 − 6</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >1000</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >264.29</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >1.93 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >433.16</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >1.41 &#215; 10 − 5</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >956</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >3.05 &#215; 10 − 6</td><td align="center" valign="middle"  colspan="2"  >399.58</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >7.74 &#215; 10 − 6</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td><td align="center" valign="middle" ></td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap></sec><sec id="s5_4"><title>5.4. Discussion</title><p>The interval for volume conductivity, estimated by the graphical method, lies within the theoretical interval, given by Equation (15), for both Kapton and PE. Meanwhile, the interval for volume conductivity, determined by the analytical method, for each case, lies within the theoretical interval, given by Equation (22).</p><p>Regardless of the method used, graphical or analytical, the ratio of volume conductivity values obtained for negative polarity to those obtained for positive</p><p>polarity, remains almost constant. This ratio γ &#175; − ( g ) γ &#175; + ( g ) = γ &#175; − ( a ) γ &#175; + ( a ) = γ &#175; − ( g , a ) γ &#175; + ( g , a ) is 1.20 and 1.08 in the case of Kapton and PE, respectively.</p><p>From the comparison of volume conductivity values, obtained for the same polarity, by two different methods, results a constant ratio. Thus,</p><p>γ &#175; + ( a ) γ &#175; + ( g ) = γ &#175; − ( a ) γ &#175; − ( g ) = γ &#175; &#177; ( a ) γ &#175; &#177; ( g ) is 0.99 for Kapton and 1.07 for PE.</p><p>The results obtained using the graphical method, are closely similar to those obtained by the analytical method, indicating that the proposed analytical formula (16) allows the determination of volume conductivity with high accuracy.</p><p>In several studies for Kapton, volume conductivity value of γ = 7.69 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 , found by “static” methods [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref22">22</xref>] , is reported. When the “dynamic” methods of irradiation with electron beam are used, the reported value is γ = 5.35 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref6">6</xref>] . In the case of PE, exposed to a positive corona and to a negative corona, the reported volume resistivity values are γ = 3.70 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 and γ = 7.14 &#215; 10 − 14   S ⋅ m − 1 , respectively [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref14">14</xref>] .</p><p>The above reported data are considered to be consistent with our experimental results.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s6"><title>6. Effect of Corona Polarity on Volume Resistivity</title><p>Corona polarity and ions mobility can influence the corona current and consequently the charge density on the sample surface. In negative corona, a part of free electrons on their way to the sample surface, are converted into negative ions, with a lower mobility than that of free electrons. Meanwhile, in positive corona, the positive ions, with a lower mobility than that of negative ions, do not undergo any transformation [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref23">23</xref>] . As the negative discharge contains both negative ions and electrons, unlike the positive discharge that contains only positive ions [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref24">24</xref>] , charging by negative corona, results in higher charging currents and surface potentials, compared to the positive polarity [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref25">25</xref>] . Furthermore, the surface potential decays faster for the negative corona polarity [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref14">14</xref>] .</p><p>The <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref>. shows the dependence of the normalized surface potential, V / V 1 ( V 1 is the first measured value of surface potential), on time, for Kapton, for various V g , of either positive or negative polarity.</p><p>The decay rate of surface potential depends on volume conductivity of the polymer and is directly proportional to it [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref26">26</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.87821-ref27">27</xref>] . Thus, in the case of negative corona, a greater number of charges arrive the grounded electrode through the sample and consequently the volume conductivity will be higher, compared to positive corona case.</p></sec><sec id="s7"><title>7. Conclusions</title><p>In the present work, the effect of polarity on the volume conductivity of Kapton and PE, determined using the corona triode method, when the sample current depends linearly on grid potential, was studied.</p><p>The proposed methodology, that involves for the first time, in addition to the analytical method of determination, a graphical method as well, has a high accuracy as both methods results are closely similar.</p><p>It was found, using both methods, that volume conductivity values of negative corona charged samples were higher than those of the samples charged by positive corona, which is in full accordance with the theoretical considerations.</p><p>The experimental results are consistent with those found by the classical “static” and “dynamic” methods, which confirms the accuracy of the corona method, for the determination of volume conductivity of polymers.</p></sec><sec id="s8"><title>Conflicts of Interest</title><p>The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.</p></sec><sec id="s9"><title>Cite this paper</title><p>Dhima, P. and Vila, F. 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