Excess electrostatic charge induction on paper under an electrostatic potential, at different relative humidity (RH) values, was measured using a Kelvin electrostatic voltmeter set-up. Results show that samples under a positive potential accumulate excess negative charges, which are dissipated when the potential is brought down to zero. Rates of charge accumulation and dissipation over the samples are equal under constant RH and both rates decrease markedly at lower RH values. These results are interpreted using a new model for the electrification of insulators, based on the effect of the electric potential on the electrochemical potential (µi=µi° + RTln a + zFV) of H(H2O)n+ and OH(H2O)n- ions within water adsorbed on insulators. Rates of paper electrification and re-neutralization are thus strongly dependent on the amount of water in the atmosphere. This model explains the experimental results presented in this work and also a number of hitherto unexplained reports on electrostatic phenomena.
electrostatic; insulators; water clusters; potential decay; adsorption
