Electric polarization of polymers in metal-dielectric-metal systems

The phenomenon of electric polarization was observed in polymeric interlayers, as was the existence of an electret state in polymers, when spontaneous thermally stimulated currents passed across a metal-1-polymer-metal-2 (M1-P-M2) system. This type of polarized state was termed a metal-polymer electret (MPE). The amount of volume charge determined by the thermally stimulated depolarization method was shown to reach 10^-5 C/cm², the charge being distributed in the near-electrode layers of 20-80-μm thickness. The electrode metals were found to diffuse in the polymeric matrix; a correlation was established between the distribution of the metal and the volume charge throughout the MPE depth. The structure and properties of MPE were investigated. The mechanism of electric polarization of polymers in M1-P-M2 systems is believed to be the formation and degradation of organometallic species in the polymeric matrix