Effect of fluorinated compounds on the triboelectric-charging property of iron surface

Abstract

The effect of highly fluorinated compounds having various functional groups on the triboelectriccharging property of iron surface relative to a standard toner is investigated. It is shown that the triboelectric charge of the iron surface treated with the various fluoro compounds increases in the order of treatment of fluoro acids > fluoro amide > fluoro alcohol > fluoro ether ⋍ fluoro alkane. The observed changes in the triboelectric properties of the fluoro-treated iron powders are related to the nature of the functional group of fluoro compound and its interaction with the iron surface, relative amount of fluorine and thickness of fluorine layers on the treated iron surface, and the known behavior of additives—fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon types—in modifying the interfacial properties such as lubrication, displacement of organic liquids, etc. Limited data on the effect of thickness of surface fluorine layers on the triboelectric-charging property of treated iron surface are discussed in the light of our current understanding of charging mechanisms in metal-polymer and polymer-polymer contacts.