Controlling the Kinetics of Contact Electrification with Patterned Surfaces

This communication describes a new strategy for preventing contact electrification (tribocharging) and unwanted electrical discharges, based on our understanding of the ion-transfer mechanism.1,2 The objective of this work is to use surfaces patterned with oppositely charged functional groups to control the rate of contact electrification. Contact electrification can generate electric fields sufficiently large to cause electrical discharges.3,4 Developing strategies for eliminating these discharges is an important element in preventing (for example) (i) damage to microelectronics, (ii) explosions during transfer of flammable liquids (e.g., during fueling of vehicles), (iii) damage caused by discharges of ungrounded helicopters, and (iv) explosions of dust in silos.5-7 The prevention of contact electrification and “static discharge ” is a problem that requires a combination of chemistry and electrostatics to create materials with new capabilities. Current strategies for limiting th