Abstract
This paper reports an experimental study of the contact electrification (CE) that happens when glass spheres of identical materials collide under different ambient relative humidity (RH) conditions. The experimental results indicate that the net charge on a sphere from a single collision is significantly altered by varying the RH level; the charge increases with increasing RH at low humidity, and then decreases at high RH conditions. The net charge reaches a maximum in the 20%–40% RH range. To explain the dependence of the CE on RH, we propose a model which yields predictions in agreement with the experimental data. The model also reveals how CE can be affected by temperature and surface absorption energy.
Highlights
Ancient Greeks knew that certain objects, such as rods of amber, after being rubbed with cat’s fur were able to attract light objects like feathers;[1] this is possibly the earliest record of triboelectrification or contact electrification (CE).[2]
This paper reports an experimental study of the contact electrification (CE) that happens when glass spheres of identical materials collide under different ambient relative humidity (RH) conditions
The mean net charge value reaches a maximum value at the ambient RH in the region (20%, 40%) shown as red circles in Fig. 2, which has the same trend as found by Pence, et al.[18]
Summary
Ancient Greeks knew that certain objects, such as rods of amber, after being rubbed with cat’s fur were able to attract light objects like feathers;[1] this is possibly the earliest record of triboelectrification or contact electrification (CE).[2]. McCarty and Whitesides reported a study on the CE of ionic electrets, in which they elaborated on the role of water in CE and proposed a mechanism based on the theory of the electric double layer to explain charge transfer under ambient environments with different humidity levels.[11]. 19 and 20 show that the dependence of CE on RH is related to the materials properties In their investigation on the effect of RH on CE in gas-solid fluidized beds, Giffin and Mehrani found that the charge or charge-mass ratio did not follow any of the three above-mentioned trends.[21]. We carried out an experiment to observe the CE due to a single collision between two spherical particles in identical materials under different RH, which can identify the effect of RH on CE, and a model is proposed to reveal how and why the contact electrification depends on RH
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
