Surface potential uniformity and sensitivity of large-area PTFE electret discs of different thicknesses produced by a modified corona poling rotating system for dosimetry applications

Abstract

In this study, large-area (6-cm diameter) Teflon polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) discs of different thicknesses (0.2-, 0.5- and 1 -mm) were negatively and positively charged by using the “modified single point-to-plane corona poling rotating system”. The effects of some crucial parameters of the PTFE disc as well as the modified corona poling rotating system on the PTFE surface potential uniformity such as: (a) PTFE disc thickness, (b) PTFE disc polarity and (c) needle-to-PTFE disc distance were successfully reported. Accordingly, closer needle-to-PTFE disc distance, positive charging mode and thinner PTFE disc provided a better PTFE surface potential uniformity. However, the effects of PTFE charge polarity and needle distance on the electrostatic charge potential uniformity were much more remarkable in comparison with the effects of PTFE thickness. Additionally, the surface potential distribution profiles of charged PTFE discs were totally flat and independent of the PTFE thickness at 5- and 13-[Formula: see text]mm needle distances for the negative and positive charging modes, respectively. At the optimized charging conditions, large-area PTFE electret disc (0.5-mm-thick) with positive uniform surface charge potential especially at the edges up to [Formula: see text] 1.8[Formula: see text]kV with stability up to 77 days studied was produced by applying a new multiple heat treatment protocol to the PTFE disc for radon dosimetry. As also observed in this study, the sensitivity of PTFE electret dosimeters to a defined radon gas concentration increases as the PTFE thickness increases. Meanwhile, 0.5-mm-thick PTFE electret disc produced was selected to be used as a high quality electret dosimeter with acceptable and superior parameters for different applications in particular medium-term radiation dosimetry in both low and high dose rate ionizing radiation fields.