Dielectric properties of moist cellulose

The dielectric constant ?′ and the dielectric loss ?″ for cellulose fiber were measured over a frequency band 0.2 to 10 Mc/sec and a temperature range from ?20 to 80°C. Also, the variation of the dielectric behavior with relative humidity was measured at 25°C. From these data, both the specific resistivity R_s and the dissociation energy U₀ were calculated. The results showed that the dielectric constant increased with frequency and temperature. This may be due to the increase in the rotation and the polarization of the flexible part in the fiber. The variation of the dielectric loss with temperature showed a maximum absorption corresponding to the β-relaxation. For the moist fiber, it is found that as the relative humidity increases, the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss increase. This increase may be due to the presence of polar water molecules, to the freeing of the polar groups, and to the freeing of the ions in the fiber molecule as well as to the increase in the number of OH^? and H⁺ ions resulting from the ionization of water. A relation between the dielectric constant and resistivity at different humidities is represented graphically. From this relation, it is found that the dissociation energy is equal to 0.318 × 10^?12 and 5.46 × 10^?12 erg below and above 52% RH, respectively.