(193aa) Controlling Surface Charge Generated By Contact Electrification

Contact electrification is the natural phenomenon in which static charge is generated on surfaces of materials when they come into contact and are then separated. Insulating polymers usually have a high tendency to charge significantly by contact electrification. The surface charge generated on polymers can give rise to a wide range of undesirable consequences; at the same time, it can also give rise to many interesting types of applications. Hence, there is a need to control the amount of charge generated by contact electrification for different specific circumstances. This presentation describes ways to control the amount of charge generated by contact electrification. Charge can be controlled by changing the bulk properties through copolymerization and coating of the surface via naturally-derived molecules (e.g., radical scavengers, such as polydopamine). Flexible control of the charge is also described by varying the distance of separation between the charged materials.