Influence of ozone on charge transfer in microcrystalline cellulose

Effects of the charge transfer in micro- and nano-crystalline cellulose under the ozone influence were studied. In the frames of the percolation conductivity model an interpretation of mechanisms promoting the charge transport in dielectrics was suggested. The experiment showed that the electric current through the “copper-cellulose” contact under atmospheric conditions demonstrates a quasi-linear increase at constant ozone flux over the surface of a cellulose tablet. Upon ozone exposure termination the current relaxes to the initial small value. We believe that this effect is caused by the generation of extra amounts of hydronium ions on the grid of water bridges under ozone exposure, and is also induced by the increase of water concentration in the pores. It is also associated with neutralization of excess protons during dissociation of ozone molecules near the negatively charged copper electrode. The obtained results allow using this effect for ozone detection starting from small atmospheric concentration of ozone.