We investigate the DC conductivity of cotton, viscose, and wood and develop a quantitative theory. We propose that conduction occurs by exchange of protons within a hydrogen-bonded network of water molecules, in a manner analogous to that in liquid water and ice. According to this model, the very strong dependence of conductivity on regain, which is characteristic of these materials, arises from its dependence on the average distance between adjacent water molecules. We derive expressions for DC conductivity as a function of regain, which provide very good agreement with experimental data. With independent experimental evidence, we confirm a prediction by the theory that a similar conduction process occurs in dry cellulose.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Algie, J.E., Downes, J.G., and MacKay, B.H., Electrical Conduction in Keratin, Textile Res. J.30, 432-434 (1960).
2.
Algie, J.E., and Haly, A.R., Ultraviolet Light and Conduction in Keratin, Textile Res. J.30, 627 (1960).
3.
Algie, J.E., and Watt, I.C., TheEffect of Changes in the Relative Humidity on the Electrical Conductivity of Wool Fibers, Textile Res. J.35, 922-929 (1965).
4.
Anderson, J.H. , and Parks, G.A., TheElectrical Conductivity of Silica Gel in the Presence of Adsorbed Water, J. Phys. Chem.72, 3662-3668 (1968).
Bockris, J. O'M., and Reddy, A.K.N., "Modem Electrochemistry," Plenum Press, NY, 1970.
7.
Christie, J.H. , Woodhead, I.M., and Krenek, S.H., A New Model of the DC Conductivity of Hygroscopic Solids, Part II. Wool and Silk, Textile Res. J. (in press).
8.
Church, H.F. , Cationic Exchange Reactions of Cellulose and Their Effect on Insulation Resistance. J. Soc. Chem. Ind.66, 221-226 (1947).
9.
Collins, G.E. , TheSwelling of Cotton Hairs in Water and in Air at Various Relative Humidities , J. Textile Inst.21, T311-T315 ( 1930).
10.
Eggers, D.F. , Gregory, N.W., Halsey , G.D., and Rabinovitch , B.S. , "Physical Chemistry ," John Wiley and Sons, NY, 1964.
11.
Eley, D.D., and Spivey, D.I., Semiconductivity of Organic Substances, Part 7: The Polyamides, Trans. Faraday Soc.57, 2280-2287 (1961 ).
12.
Feughelman, M. , "Mechanical Structure and Properties of Alpha-Keratin Fibres, Wool, Human Hair and Related Fibres," Univ. of New South Wales Press, Sydney, Australia, 1997.
13.
Fontanella, J.J., Edmondson, C.A., Wintersgill , M.C., Wu , Y., and Greenbaum, S.G., High-Pressure Electrical Conductivity and NMR Studies in Variable Equivalent Weight NAFION Membranes, Macromol.29, 4944-4951 (1996 ).
14.
Fripiat, J.J. , Jelli, A., Poncelet , G., and Andre, J., Thermodynamic Properties of Adsorbed Water and Electrical Conduction in Montmorillonites and Silicas, J. Phys. Chem.69, 2185-2197 (1965).
15.
Hearle, J.W.S. , TheElectrical Resistance of Textile Materials: A Review of the Literature , J. Textile Inst.43, P194-223 (1952 ).
16.
Hearle, J.W.S. , TheElectrical Resistance of Textile Materials, III: Miscellaneous Effects . J. Textile Inst.44, T155-T176 ( 1953).
17.
Hearle, J.W.S. , TheElectrical Resistance of Textile Materials, I: The Influence of Moisture Content , J. Textile Inst.44, T117-T143 ( 1953).
18.
Hearle, J.W.S. , TheElectrical Resistance of Textile Materials, IV: Theory, J. Textile Inst.44, T177-T198 ( 1953).
19.
Hergt, H.F.A. , and Christensen , G.N., Variable Retention of Water by Dry Wood , J. Appl. Polym. Sci.9, 2345-2361 (1965 ).
20.
King, G., and Medley, J.A., D.C. Conduction in Swollen Polar Polymers, I: Electrolysis of the Keratin-Water System, J. Colloid Sci.4, 1-7 (1949).
21.
King, G., and Medley, J.A.II: The Influence of Temperature and Adsorbed Salts on the D.C. Conductivity of Polar Polymer Adsorbate Systems, J. Colloid Sci.4, 9-18 ( 1949).
22.
Marsh, M.C. , and Earp, K.. TheElectrical Resistance of Wool Fibres . Trans. Faraday Soc.29, 173-193 (1933).
23.
Murphy, E.J. , Electrical Conduction in Textiles, III: Anomalous Properties of Conduction in Textiles, J. Phys. Chem.33, 509-532 (1929).
24.
Murphy, E.J. , TheDependence of the Conductivity of Cellulose, Silk and Wool on Their Water Content, J. Phys. Chem. Solids16, 115-122 (1960).
25.
Murphy, E.J. , Conduction and Electrolysis inCellulose, Can. J. Phys.41, 1022-1035 (1963 ).
26.
Murphy, E.J. , and Walker, A.C., Electrical Conduction in Textiles, I, J. Phys. Chem.32, 1761-1786 (1928 ).
27.
Niven, C.D. , Proton Migration in Hydrophilic Organic Film , Trans. Faraday Soc.54, 441-445 (1958).
28.
O'Sullivan, J.B., The Conduction of Electricity Through Cellulose, Part III: The Mobility of Hydrogen and Hydroxyl Ions in Cellulose Sheet, J. Textile Inst.38, T291-T297 ( 1947).
29.
O'Sullivan, J.B., The Conduction of Electricity Through Cellulose, Part IV: The Mobility of Various Ions in Cellulose Sheet, J. Textile Inst.38, T298-T306 ( 1947).
30.
Powell, M.R. , and Rosenberg. B.Nature of the Charge Carriers in Solvated Biomacromolecules: DNA and Water. Biopolymers9, 1403-1406 (1970).
31.
Riehl, N., Zum Zusammenhang Zwischen Elektrischer Leitfahigkeit und Energiewanderung in Proteinen (On the Correlation Between Electrical Conductivity and Energy Transfer In Proteins), Kolloid Z.151, 66-72 ( 1957).
32.
Rosenberg, B., and Postow. E., Semiconduction in Proteins and Lipids—Its Possible Biological Import, Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci.158, 161-190 (1969).
33.
Urquhart, A.R. , and Eckersall, N., The Adsorption of Water by Rayon , J. Textile Inst.23, T163-T170 ( 1932).
34.
Urquhart, A.R. , and Williams, A.M., TheMoisture Relations of Cotton, ii: The Absorption and Desorption of Water by Soda-Boiled Cotton at 25°C, J. Textile Inst, 15, T433-T442 (1924).
35.
Urquhart, A.R. , and Williams, A.M., TheMoisture Relations of Cotton, The Effect of Temperature on the Absorption of Water by Soda-Boiled Cotton, J. Textile Inst.15, T559-T572 ( 1924).
36.
Walker, A.C. , Moisture in Textiles, J. Appl. Phys.8, 261-268 ( 1937).
37.
Walker, A.C. , and Quell, M.H., Influence of Ash Constituents on the Electrical Conduction of Cotton, J. Textile Inst.24, T123-T130 ( 1933).
38.
Weatherwax, R.C., and Stamm, A.J., TheElectrical Resistivity of Resin-Treated Wood and Laminated Hydrolyzed-Wood and Paper-Base Plastics, Trans. Am. Inst. Elec. Eng.64, 833-838 (1945).
39.
Zielinski, M., Pope, M., Wang , N., Horvath, C., and Geacintov, N.E., Photoemission from AdenineCrystal: Solvation of the Pre-ionizing State, Chem. Phys. Lett.165, 297-301 (1990).
