Influence of gamma irradiation on surface potential decay of corona charged polyethylene

In the present paper the surface potential decay after dc corona charging of gamma-irradiated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has been studied. The irradiation was carried out in air, nitrogen gas and vacuum to investigate the effect of irradiation environment on the surface potential of LDPE. Samples with different absorbed doses were obtained by exposing samples to 60Co for various times at room temperature. It has been found that there is a significant change in the surface potential decay characteristics after different irradiation dose and the surface potential decay pattern depends also on irradiation environment. The possible surface potential decay mechanisms responsible for the above were discussed. The results are useful in the context of long-term performance of electrets.