Surface potential decay of epoxy/Al2O3 nanocomposites irradiated with high energy electron beam

Surface potential decay on electron beam irradiated epoxy based nanocomposites has been investigated in this paper. The 2 mm-thick laminate composites sample was irradiated with the electron beam at an average energy of 7.5 MeV, and the total accumulated dose was up to 500 kGy. After the irradiation, the nanocomposites were corona charged with DC voltage at 10 kV through a pair of needle to plate electrode. Surface potential of the sample was then measured by means of an electrostatic voltmeter and the trap distribution, carrier mobility could be estimated. Results obtained indicated that the presence of nano-filler in the nanocomposites played an important role in varying the charge transportation behavior both before and after the irradiation. It is proposed that the radiation induced variation in chemical and physical structures of the nanocomposites is responsible for the accumulated dose dependent charge transportation manner.