Field induced gas emission of polymer films

Abstract

Poling polyvinylidene fluoride under vacuum conditions causes strong gas emission, which is analyzed with a quadrupole mass spectrometer. The dominant peak in the mass spectrum is HF, which is produced by electrochemical reactions at the sample surface. After the electric field is switched off, the gas emission unexpectedly increases to a value higher than under the field. This can be explained by ionic charge detrappingand charge migration