Rhamnolipids‐based glycosylated coating for preparing non‐charging polymeric materials surfaces

Abstract

AbstractPolymer materials are typical insulators that are easily charged by contact electrification. Static charge generated by contact electrification on their surfaces can lead to lots of undesirable consequences, including a reduction in efficiency of manufacturing processes, damage to equipment, and even explosions. Thus, it is important to develop effective strategies to prevent the generation of static charge when surfaces of polymer materials come into contact. Here, we coated polymer materials with rhamnolipids (RLs) to create non‐charging surfaces. This innovative technique, based on glycosylated coatings using RLs, offers a universal solution that can be easily applied to a wide range of polymeric materials conferring resistance to surface charging via contact electrification. The amount of static charges generated was found to reduce dramatically in both low (~15%) and high (~60%) humidity situations. The reduction of charge is due to either or both of the following two mechanisms: by increasing surface conductivity driven by the hydrophilic groups of the RLs molecules, and or by their radical‐scavenging properties. Predictably, this new effective strategy is ideal for producing antistatic dipping and spray solution for various practical applications.