Plasma and Fusion Research

Volume 11, 1401121 (2016)

Regular Articles

Effect of Electrode Material to Current-Voltage Characteristics of a Gerdien Condenser
Ma Camille C. LACDAN and Motoi WADA
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0321, Japan
(Received 17 August 2016 / Accepted 25 October 2016 / Published 9 December 2016)

Abstract

Effects due to kind of materials used for the collector electrode of a Gerdien condenser upon the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics were investigated. Aluminum, copper and nickel electrodes were initially polished and cleaned and the I-V characteristics were recorded with 15-minutes interval under exposure to ambient air. Results showed that the zero-crossing voltage in the I-V curve shifted toward negative electrical potential, while the saturation current decreased in accordance with the passage of time. The electrode surfaces showed clear change in the color after operation. Ion mobilities and ion species concentrations were determined from the measured I-V characteristics and they indicate sizable difference by the electrode aging effect. The aluminum electrode showed stable positive and negative saturation currents within 180 minutes, while the saturation current decreased down to 50% of the initial value.

Keywords

atmospheric plasma, Gerdien condenser, ion density, ion mobility, I-V characteristics, plasma characterization

DOI: 10.1585/pfr.11.1401121

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