On the origins of space charge TSDC peaks in polyvinylidene fluoride

The charge storage in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) has been investigated using the thermally stimulated discharge current technique (TSDC) after charging at room temperature in a metal-polymer-metal sandwich configuration. The magnitude and polarity of the charges released at high temperature (>80 degrees C) is dependent both on the electrode materials and the presence of particular atmospheric gases such as oxygen, nitrogen and water vapour. It is suggested that inadequate control of charging conditions may be responsible for the lack of agreement between workers investigating low-frequency dielectric absorption processes in PVDF.