Uncertainty and Irreproducibility of Triboelectricity Based on Interface Mechanochemistry

• Published in: Physical review letters 2023-10, Vol.131 (16), p.166201-166201, Article 166201
• Main Authors: Fatti, Giulio, Kim, Hyunseung, Sohn, Changwan, Park, Minah, Lim, Yeong-won, Li, Zhuohan, Park, Kwi-Il, Szlufarska, Izabela, Ko, Hyunseok, Jeong, Chang Kyu, Cho, Sung Beom
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0031-9007; 1079-7114
• DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.131.166201

Triboelectrification mechanism is still not understood, despite centuries of investigations. Here, we propose a model showing that mechanochemistry is key to elucidate triboelectrification fundamental properties. Studying contact between gold and silicate glasses, we observe that the experimental triboelectric output is subject to large variations and polarity inversions. First principles analysis shows that electronic transfer is activated by mechanochemistry and the tribopolarity is determined by the termination exposed to contact, depending on the material composition, which can result in different charging at the macroscale. The electron transfer mechanism is driven by the interface barrier dynamics, regulated by mechanical forces. The model provides a unified framework to explain several experimental observations, including the systematic variations in the triboelectric output and the mixed positive-negative "mosaic" charging patterns, and paves the way to the theoretical prediction of the triboelectric properties.