The effect of silver metal (Ag) in DC conductivity of high density
polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) grafted films with
acrylic acid (AAc) at different percentage 95, 120 and 160% has been
investigated. It is also aimed to perform an extensive study on the electrical
properties of (LDPE) and (HDPE) before and after irradiation by γ-rays at
different environment in order to understand the nature of the conduction
mechanism and charge transport in these materials. The results show a
substantial increase in the electrical conductivity ( σ ) for both types of
polyethylene exposed to γ-irradiation in air and in vacuum at dose range
(0 – 500 kGy). The improvement in σ for LDPE in oxygen is more pronounced
than HDPE. Thermal activated conduction mechanism is predominant for both
LDPE and HDPE at different γ-doses in air, and in oxygen. The grafting with
PAAc causes an increase in the conductivity by approximately six order higher
than that of ungrafted films. Grafted copolymer was obtained by adding metal
salt solution AgNO3 to both graphted LDPE and HDPE at 373 K for 15hrs.
Increasing of Ag ions in the copolymer samples at room temperature leads to a
slight decrease in the σ value.