Schottky Emission and Conduction in Some Organic Insulating Materials

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Abstract
Voltage‐current curves of such organic insulators as polyethylene‐terephthalate and polyvinylformal display the familiar Richardson‐Schottky characteristics for fields between 20 and 200 kV/cm and temperatures from 25° to 100°C. Assuming the Schottky emission mechanism being the limiting factor in establishing the steady‐state current, comparison between measured values and the Richardson‐Schottky equation yields data on the work function of these materials. 0.88 eV was found for polyethylene‐terephthalate and 1.24 eV for polyvinylformal. The calculations indicate an increase of the electric field at the injecting electrode over the value which would apply to an ideal, nonconducting insulator. This increase may be caused by space‐charge effects.