Investigation of the role of temperature on contact electrification of polyethylene particles

Abstract

This work investigates the role of temperature on contact electrification of polyethylene particles. Particles were shaken at ambient temperature and 60 °C in two stainless steel cups with one having its wall coated with polyethylene particles. Particles in contact with a bare wall did not show a variation in charge transfer when temperature increased; however, contacts with an insulating coated wall resulted in a lower charge generation. A volume resistivity cell was designed and built to measure changes in volume resistivity with temperatures. Although reliable data for particles was not obtained, but volume resistivity of different insulating films declined at 60 °C. It was concluded that this drop could increase the mobility of charge carriers and facilitate the electrostatic charge dissipation between particles or to the ground, resulting a lower charge build-up on particles. This work recommends investigating the role of temperature when ion and material transfer mechanisms are at play.