Spontaneous polarization of polymer blends

A hypothesis on the formation of a non-equilibrium in electrical respect structure in blend compositions induced by generation of free charge carriers and their entrapment during extrusion has been put forward. The electret–thermal analysis (ETA) commonly employed to study electrical polarization of dielectrics has been for the first time used to analyze structures of multicomponent polymer blends. Blend composites turned to have characteristic spectra of thermally stimulated currents (TSC). Potentialities of the ETA have been studied on the polyamide–polyethylene blends containing a compatibilizer—bimodal polyethylene functionalized by maleic anhydride. Peaks on TSC spectra have been identified for each component content and their distribution in the blend. Thermomechanical processing of the studied blends even using specific intensive mixing methods (static and dynamic mixing) did not result in the formation of any new chemical compounds. A conclusion has been derived that the formation of electrically non-equilibrium structure is naturally intrinsic for polymer blend composites.