Experimental Investigation of Magneto electrets formed in Non Uniform

Magnetic field for the confirmation of theoretical model of the Electrets.

A.S.TEWARI, M.S.QURESHI, R.N.DUBEY, M.M.MALIK,

MANISH NIGAM**,O.P.GUPTA**,A.P.SRIVASTAVA*

Department of physics , Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology , BHOPAL 462007

**
Department of electronics, D.B.S.College, Kanpur.
*
Department of electronics, D.B.S.College, Kanpur.

ABSTRACT

In this paper , extensive investigations of the thermally stimulated discharge

current(TSDC) is reported on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) over the

temperature range of 90oC- 150°C and magnetic field up to 9790 Gauss. The

main purpose of the investigation is to compare the magneto-electret (ME)

samples prepared in the uniform and non–uniform magnetic field so as to

suggest the mechanism and to propose a model, which can answer the charge

formation on the MEs. The combined treatment of heat and non uniform

magnetic field causes side chains to get oriented along the direction of the field,

thereby causing small increase in hetero(idio) charge. TSDC of ME samples are

carried out by reheating the sample upto 150oC in a temperature controlled

oven at the constant heating rate.

Index Terms—PMMA, TSDC, Mangeto-Electret,

INTRODUCTION:

TSDC is a significant technique to understand the charge-storage, charge decay,

identification of dipole reorientation processes as well as for evaluation of trapping

and recombination levels. In the present study the author has tried to answer few

fundamental questions arises during the comprehensive study of mageto

electrets(MEs) . The present paper reports the results which envisage the

possibility of mechanism proposed by Qureshi-Bhatnagar Model.

Magnetoelectret (ME) is a dielectric body on which electric charge appears due to

joint treatment of heat and magnetic field and charge persists long after the

magnetic field has been removed. Bhatnagar was the first person to prepare

magneto electrets by replacing an electric field with a magnetic field. Investigation

of MEs are carried over different forming conditions such as (a) duration of

application of magnetic field (b) maximum forming temperature (c) magnetic field

strength. This shows a distinct nature of MEs about charge formation on the

surface which is significantly influenced by the polarity of the pole pieces .

PROCEDURE:

The usual method of preparation of Magneto-Electrets is to place a sample of

PMMA in the form of a disc (diameter =1.23 cms , thickness = 20mm ) in a cavity

made out of insulating material. Raw sample is repeatedly washed with benzene so

that any frictional charge may be get rid off. After that sample is put inside
magneto-Electret container which comprises of an intermediate plate of brass,

having a circular cavity for the sample. The sample is covered from both sides with

aluminum foil to create good thermal contact, and then two outer brass plates are

screwed together. This M.E container is held vertically in between the pole pieces

of the electromagnet along with a thermocouple ( K-type) , probe is inserted in

cavity for recording temperature. To keep the temperature uniform over the entire

area of the M.E. sample , non-magnetic heating elements are embedded in the

outer plates of the container. When desired temperature is reached then

simultaneously desired magnetic field is applied for about one hour .After one hour

heating current is switched off and the sample is allowed to cool in presence of

desired magnetic field till the temperature reaches to room temperature.

After polarization, the sample assembly is placed inside a high temperature

chamber. The temperature of this camber can be regulated at a linear heating rate

of 1oC/min . Before each measurement a blank run is performed in order to free

the sample from extraneous charges. The thermally stimulated discharge currents

are then measured using a Keithley 617C electrometer. The current and

temperature are recorded simultaneously by data acquisition system [1,2].

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

In view of voluminous data collected and several parameters such as the magnetic

field , temperature etc. influencing the thermally discharge current, varied one at a
time under two test conditions i.e inhomogeneous & homogeneous magnetic field

of 9670 Gauss, which is applied perpendicular to the direction of sample,

representative data are presented below. Graphs have been plotted between Current

in Amp Vs Temperature in oC along Y & X axis respectively under given forming

temperatures.
DISCUSSION:

Several processes contribute to the discharge of electrets , but the driving force of

them all is the restoration of charge neutrality, as electrets are made from the polar

materials the disorientation of dipoles play a prominent role .This disorientation

tends to destroy the persistent dipole polarization by redistributing all dipoles at

random. The disorientation of dipoles involves the rotation of a coupled pair of

positive and negative charges , and requires a certain energy , which in solids may

amount to few eV per dipole. It is for this reason that discharge by dipole

disorientation is thermally activated, and so can be speeded up by heating. The

current-temperature plot will then consist of several peaks[3].

CONCLUSION:

In this paper , the differences in the values of thermally stimulated discharge

current of MEs evaluated from the samples prepared in the non uniform magnetic

field are showing increasing trend in discharge current, releasing about 3.5%-5.5%
more current in below glass transition forming temperature zone ,i.e 95oC,105oC

and 115oC.And those sample prepared above the glass transition

temperature(120oC), in the temperature zone of 125oC ,135oC , 145oC and 155oC is

showing a continuous increase of about 10%-15% in the area below the curve from

which we can draw the inference that charge storing capacity has been improved

significantly So MEs fabricated in non-uniform magnetic field can store more

volume –charge then MEs formed in uniform magnetic field and also verifying the

suggested mechanism proposed by Qureshi –Bhatnagar phenomenological theory

to a certain extent .This technique can find wide application in measuring time

varying magnetic field and electret transducers.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

The authors wish to thank the Director MANIT, Bhopal for providing necessary

facilities for carrying out the study.

REFERENCES:

[1]Gerhard M. Sessler Electrets: recent developments Journal of

Electrostatics, Volumes 51-52, May 2001, Pages 137-145.

[2]Qureshi,M.S & Bhatnagar , C.S., Indian J.Pure Appl. Phys., 9(1971),361.

[3]C.G.Robertson ,P.G.Santanigelo and C.M.Roland ,” Comparison of glass

formation kinetics and segmental relaxation in polymers” J.Non crystal
solution., Vol 275 ,pp 153-159,2000.