Current reversal in the thermally stimulated current spectra of polyethylene

Polyethylene thermoelectrets were prepared under static electric fields ranging from 70 to 750 kV/cm at various polarization temperatures. Thermally stimulated current (TSC) spectra were observed for those samples in the high‐temperature region above room temperature. The TSC spectra of polyethylene were complex and were composed of two current peaks, of opposite polarity and dependent on the applied voltage and temperature. This result suggests that there are two trapping mechanisms which result in different charge injection modes. In addition, TSC spectra were obtained on polyethylenes of various morphologies to examine the relationship between the mechanical relaxations and the trapping mechanisms.