Electrostatic Transfer Research Articles

Redox-Active Amine for Electrochemical CO2 Capture and Release

The recent IPCC report highlights the importance of negative carbon dioxide emissions scenarios to achieve the 1.5°C Paris Agreement goal, emphasizing the crucial role of negative emission technologies (NETs) in complementing decarbonization efforts. Capturing CO2 from dilute sources, such as flue gas and the atmosphere, is essential for managing global emissions and advancing storage and utilization efforts downstream. Electrochemical carbon capture methods are notable for their high energy efficiency, decentralized operation, ambient reaction conditions, and compatibility with renewable electricity. [1, 2]In this context, a robust electroDAC approach with switchable electroactive adsorption materials is urgently needed. Cu-based electrochemically mediated amine regeneration (EMAR) shows promise for controlled, reversible complexation with CO2 capture amines in aqueous solutions. However, uncertainties persist regarding Cu2+/Cu interfacial chemistry mechanisms, dynamic competitive interactions at the surface and in bulk, and potential degradation routes or parasitic faradaic currents. [3]To address these uncertainties, we propose a reversible system using an electrostatic charge transfer mechanism at the electrode interface for energy-efficient CO2 capture and release. Our study focuses on investigating the stability and reactivity of various Cu-based catalysts under different conditions, employing spectroelectrochemical analysis to elucidate changes and interactions between adsorbed species and CO2 at the electrode interface.Literature:[1] S. Voskian, T. A. Hatton, Energy Environ. Sci., 2019,12, 3530-3547.[2] M. Massen-Hane, K. M. Diederichsen, T. A. Hatton, Nat Chem Eng., 2024, 1, 35–44.[3] S. E. Renfrew, D. E. Starr, P. Strasser, P. ACS Catal. 2020, 10, 21, 13058–13074.

Electrical and work function-based chemical gas sensors utilizing NC3 and graphene combination

Research has been conducted on the potential practical uses of heterostructures made of graphene and carbon nitride (NC3) following their successful synthesis. The remarkable gas sensing properties of these 2D nanosheets have captured significant interest, attributed to distinctive electronic characteristics and exceptional surface-to-volume ratio that are resulted from combination of NC3 and graphene. In this study, we present a detailed analysis of electronic and structural features of pristine NC3 and graphene (PG), and their in-plane heterostructures using first-principles density functional theory. Our investigation utilizes the B3LYP and dispersion-corrected van der Waals (vdW) functional WB97XD, along with 6-311G (d, p) basis set. Our findings indicate that the nanosheets we anticipated exhibit robust structural stability, characterized by a desirable cohesive energy. Furthermore, we observed a gradual increase in the bandgap as the concentration of N–C in the nanosheets increases. Additionally, we investigated the adsorption characteristics of these heterostructures towards toxic gas molecules such as SO2 and CO. Among the studied heterostructures, GNC3I demonstrated higher adsorption energy (Eads), with values of approximately −0.283 and −0.491 eV when exposed to SO2 and carbon monoxide gas molecules respectively. Electronic characteristics, including LUMO and HOMO energy values, energy gap (Eg) between HOMO and LUMO, work function, Fermi level, and conductivity, underwent notable modifications upon SO2 gas adsorption over nanosheets, except for PG. However, these parameters remained relatively unchanged following carbon monoxide adsorption. Natural bond orbital (NBO) and Mulliken charge analysis demonstrates that there is a transfer of charge from gas molecules to nanosheets. Although nanosheets exhibit slightly higher adsorption energy (Eads) values for CO gas compared to SO2 gas, various assessments, including molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) mapping, electronic properties, and charge transfer (CT) analysis, suggest that these nanosheets are superior sensors for detecting SO2 gas rather than carbon monoxide gas molecules.

An Innovative Laser Decal transfer of ZnO Ceramic in LIG for advanced Hybrid Nanogenerator applications

This study is focused on utilizing laser technology as a versatile energy source in device fabrication for energy harvesting applications. Dual utilization of CO2 laser is employed for graphene synthesis and selective deposition of ZnO piezo ceramic by laser μ-3D printing. A Piezo-Tribo hybrid nanogenerator is fabricated through selectively transferring ZnO ceramic onto porous laser-induced graphene followed by hydrothermal growth. The Laser decal transfer successfully yields uniform ZnO within porous graphene, facilitating the consistent growth of nanorods in pores. A FEP-ZnO-LIG device is fashioned, synergizing tribo-electricity from FEP-LIG and piezo-electricity due to the presence of ZnO, focusing on energy harvesting to consistently power sensors. ZnO piezo device demonstrates the least voltage and current output (9 V and 270 nA), while the FEP-LIG pair exhibits a higher output of 36 V voltage and 410 nA current. The combination of piezoelectric and electrostatic charge transfer mechanisms in a cascading fashion produces enhanced output voltage (75 V) and current (1.06 μA) compared to individual sum of piezo and tribo pairs. This enhanced performance is possibly attributed to synergistic interaction between ZnO nanostructures and graphene, enhancing charge flow during continuous contact and separation. This technique extends beyond its application for fine-tuning of functional performance in device fabrication.

Atomic-Level Insights into the Adsorption of Methyl-Substituted Quinoxalinones on Fe(110): A Dispersion-Corrected DFT Analysis.

Corrosion of metallic equipment is a critical issue across various industries, necessitating the development of advanced protective strategies. This study utilized dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT) with Becke-Johnson D3(BJ) to examine the atomic-level adsorption of quinoxalinones on Fe(110) surfaces, focusing on optimizing substitution strategies to enhance corrosion inhibition. Three quinoxalinones, quinoxalin-2(1H)-one (QNO), 3-methylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one (QNOM), and 3,7-dimethylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one (QNO2M), were investigated in various configurations and protonation states. Protonated quinoxalinones demonstrated a stronger surface affinity, primarily interacting through oxygen atoms and conjugated systems, with greater energetic stability compared to neutral molecules, driven by enhanced electrostatic interactions and charge transfer mechanisms. The parallel adsorption configuration was more stable than the perpendicular mode, which in some adsorption systems did not form bonds with the iron surface. Notably, the presence of methyl substitutions did not significantly enhance adsorption strength; QNO exhibited higher energetic stability due to reduced steric interference, which maintained its planarity. Projected density of states (PDOS), electron density difference (EDD), and electron localization function (ELF) analyses confirmed the importance of charge transfer between quinoxalinone active sites and the 3d orbitals of iron in stabilizing the adsorption of molecules. These findings underscore the importance of judicious quinoxalinone functionalization to preserve their efficacy as corrosion inhibitors.

A novel compact xerographic system for 3D printing of fluoropolymer powders onto metal surfaces

Abstract This study introduces a compact xerographic 3D printing system that utilizes precise layer-by-layer dry powder transfer techniques, facilitating the fabrication of 3D objects directly on metal substrates. By leveraging electrostatic force to coat dry fluoroethylene vinyl ether powder onto metallic surfaces, our innovative method significantly broadens the spectrum of printable materials. Through the optimization of electrostatic potentials and powder transfer efficiency, the system successfully demonstrates the ability to produce intricate 3D structures with heights ranging from millimeters to centimeters. This novel approach not only showcases the potential for creating flexible electronic materials with complex 3D geometries directly on the metal substrate but also opens new avenues for diverse material applications within the field of advanced xerographic 3D printing technology.

Mechanism of ammonium adsorption onto the surface of heteroatom doped graphene quantum dots

The adsorption mechanism of ammonium (NH4+) ion onto graphene quantum dots (GQDs) surface, modified with vacancy and heteroatom (nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O)), has been studied using a combination of dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) approaches in aqueous media. The potential of GQD-NX and GQD-OX surfaces as highly effective adsorbents for NH4+ ions has been explored by detailed analysis of adsorption energies, molecular electrostatic potential, charge transfer, density-of-states, non-covalent interaction, and desorption time. It has been observed that the adsorption of NH4+ ions on the GQD-NX surfaces is primarily chemisorption, governed by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds. However, adsorption of NH4+ over the surface of GQD-OX predominantly ranges from strong physisorption to weak chemisorption arising from van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonds. These findings present compelling new approach utilizing modified GQDs as highly efficient adsorbents for removing NH4+ ions from water.

Electrostatic Force-Assisted Transfer of Flexible Silicon Photodetector Focal Plane Arrays for Image Sensors.

Flexible photodetectors are pivotal in contemporary optoelectronic technology applications, such as data reception and image sensing, yet their performance and yield are often hindered by the challenge of heterogeneous integration between photoactive materials and flexible substrates. Here, we showcase the potential of an electrostatic force-assisted transfer printing technique for integrating Si PIN photodiodes onto flexible substrates. This clean and dry process eliminates the need for chemical etchants, making it a highly desirable method for manufacturing high-performance flexible photodetector arrays, expanding their widespread applications in electronic eyes, robotics, and human-machine interaction. As a demonstration, a 5 × 5 flexible Si photodetector focal plane array is constructed for imaging sensors and shaped into a convex semicylindrical form to achieve a π field of view with long-term mechanical and thermal stability. Such an approach provides a high yield rate and consistent performance, with the single photodetector demonstrating exceptional characteristics, including a responsivity of 0.61 A/W, a response speed of 39.77 MHz, a linear dynamic range of 108.53 dB, and a specific detectivity of 2.75 × 1012 Jones at an applied voltage of -3 V at 940 nm.

Characterization of Some Functional Polymeric Composites in a Synergistic Regime of Protection at Electromagnetic Shielding and Electrostatic Transfer

The paper presents the characterization of 5 polymer composite materials with a poly-propylene (PP) matrix obtained with different (mass) concentrations of strontium ferrite (Fe12SrO19) reinforcement that have synergistic protective properties against electrostatic discharges (ESD) and electromagnetic impulses (EMI). These types of composites can be used to protect electronic equipment. To this purpose, suitable polymer composites were developed using SrFe12O19 type filler in two forms (powder and concentrate). The weight ratio of the PP/SrFe12O19 composites obtained by the extrusion process and injection from the melt is 75/25 and 70/30. The characterization of these composite materials consisted of carrying out some physico-chemical tests to determine the hydrostatic density and the resistance to the action of water, as well as FTIR, UV-Vis analyzes and dielectric, magnetic and functional tests to identify the simultaneous protection performance at electromagnetic shielding and electrostatic discharges, which can occur in the electro-technical, electronics and automotive industries. It is also found that all composite materials presented reflection shielding properties (SER) in the range: -71.5 dB...to -56.7 dB, indicating very low absorption shielding. The best performing material was the PP/SrFe12O19 powder composite with a weight ratio of 70/30. At the same time, EDS tests were also carried out on these materials. For these applications, the surface resistance Rs and the point-to-point resistance Rp were tested. Recommended composites for simultaneous EMI and sensitivity to electrostatic discharges (ESD) functionality, in order of their performance, are M2 (with 30% ferrite powder) and M1 (with 25% ferrite powder). M4 composite (with 30% ferrite powder concentrate) can also be used at the limit. Following the research carried out, the obtained results recommend the composite with promising simultaneous operations as M2 (with 30% ferrite powder). The element of originality consists of obtaining polymer composites with simultaneous properties of protection against electromagnetic impulses and electrostatic discharges.

An N-Rich Polymer for the Selective Recovery of Gold from Wastewater.

The recovery of valuable gold from wastewater is of great interest because of the widespread use of the precious metal in various fields and the pollution generated by gold-containing wastes in water. In this paper, a water-insoluble cross-linked adsorbent material (TE) based on cyanuric chloride (TCT) and ethylenediamine (EDA) was designed and used for the adsorption of Au(III) from wastewater. It was found that TE showed extremely high selectivity (D = 49,213.46) and adsorption capacity (256.19 mg/g) for Au(III) under acidic conditions. The adsorption rate remained above 90% eVen after five adsorption-desorption cycles. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-first-order kinetic model and the Freundlich isotherm model, suggesting that physical adsorption with a multilayer molecular overlay dominates. Meanwhile, the adsorption mechanism was obtained by DFT calculation and XPS analysis, and the adsorption mechanism was mainly the electrostatic interaction and electron transfer between the protonated N atoms in the adsorbent (TE) and AuCl4-, which resulted in the redox reaction. The whole adsorption process was the result of the simultaneous action of physical and chemical adsorption. In conclusion, the adsorbent material TE shows great potential for gold adsorption and recovery.

1-D SEMICONDUCTING NANOWIRES AND THEIR ASSEMBLY

Nanowires, the one-dimensional(1D) semiconducting structures are one of the most potent and flexible classes of synthetically reconfigurable nanoscale basic elements widely used for examining the basic physical characteristics of nanomaterials and assembling a range of functional nanostructure systems. To design these functional nanostructure systems, it is critical to guarantee that the synthesis of these structures, as well as their assembly, are exceedingly exact and precise. The synthesis and assembly of these nanostructures is what defines the success of the nanostructure systems. Nanowire assembly is challenging because the required length scales prohibit direct interaction and increase the instability aspects of electrostatic forces and mass transfer. This paper focuses on the different core assembly methodologies of one-dimensional semiconductor nanowires into desired designs for functional nanostructure systems.

Efficient degradation of sulfamethoxazole by a peroxymonosulfate system activated by g-C3N4@polyethylene glycol-derived carbon-nitrogen nanosheets: The key roles of N and O groups

A simultaneous thermal polymerization reaction was performed with graphitic carbon nitride and polyethylene glycol to synthesize a novel metal-free carbon–nitrogen (CN) material, and the prepared material was applied to activate a peroxymonosulfate (PMS) system. Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) removal by CN7/PMS reached 93.75 % in 10 min, which was 39.86 times higher than that achieved by PMS systems alone. Material characterization showed that the pyrolysis temperature could be adjusted to modulate the N atom and functional group contents. As determined by experimental validation and DFT calculations, C = O/C-N, graphitic N and defects were the main active sites. This finding indicates that CN7 activated PMS to produce hydroxyl radicals (•OH), sulfate radicals (SO4•-) and singlet oxygen (1O2) through electrostatic interactions, nucleophilic addition, electron transfer and other pathways. Moreover, 1O2 was dominant, with a 91.58 % contribution. In addition, the materials maintained high catalytic stability in different water matrices and multiple cycling experiments. The present study innovatively illustrated the mechanism by which nitrogen-doped carbon materials activated PMS, providing a new insight into the development of highly active metal-free catalysts applied in PMS systems.

Nitrogen sulfur co doped carbon quantum dots as fluorescent probe for quantitative determination of monosodium glutamate in food samples

A validated, simple, and ecofriendly spectrofluorometric method has been developed for the determination of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in food matrices utilizing novel nitrogen and sulfur co doped carbon quantum dots (NS-CQDs) as fluorescent probes. MSG is one of the most commonly used food additives that has distinct taste. The proposed method is based on the finding that MSG can effectively enhance the fluorescence intensity of NS-CQDs as a result of the formation of CQDS-MSG complex via electrostatic interaction and electron transfer from the excited CQDs to MSG. NS-CQDs have been synthesized using citric acid and D, L- methionine as precursors and the formed quantum dots were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). NS-CQDs display bright blue fluorescence at emission wavelength 440 nm after excitation wavelength 330 nm with a quantum yield of 38.68% and a production yield of 88.75%. The fluorescence intensity of CQDs was found to be stable over a wide range of pH value (4.0–10). Under optimal experimental conditions, there was a linear relationship between the increased fluorescence and MSG concentration over the range of 25–250 µg/mL with limit of detection and limit of quantification 6.20 and 18.79 µg/mL respectively. NS-CQDs show excellent selectivity to MSG and the proposed method has been applied for MSG determination in two food products with satisfactory recoveries achieved by standard addition method.

Ultrahigh sensitivity and extremely low limit of detection of picric acid with ionic-liquid modified poly(diphenylacetylene)

An ionic liquid-modified polydiphenylacetylene derivative achieves ultra-high sensitivity (Ksv > 105) and selectivity for picric acid detection, driven by electrostatic attraction, charge transfer, and fluorescence resonant energy transfer.

Universal selective transfer printing via micro-vacuum force

Transfer printing of inorganic thin-film semiconductors has attracted considerable attention to realize high-performance soft electronics on unusual substrates. However, conventional transfer technologies including elastomeric transfer printing, laser-assisted transfer, and electrostatic transfer still have challenging issues such as stamp reusability, additional adhesives, and device damage. Here, a micro-vacuum assisted selective transfer is reported to assemble micro-sized inorganic semiconductors onto unconventional substrates. 20 μm-sized micro-hole arrays are formed via laser-induced etching technology on a glass substrate. The vacuum controllable module, consisting of a laser-drilled glass and hard-polydimethylsiloxane micro-channels, enables selective modulation of micro-vacuum suction force on microchip arrays. Ultrahigh adhesion switchability of 3.364 × 106, accomplished by pressure control during the micro-vacuum transfer procedure, facilitates the pick-up and release of thin-film semiconductors without additional adhesives and chip damage. Heterogeneous integration of III-V materials and silicon is demonstrated by assembling microchips with diverse shapes and sizes from different mother wafers on the same plane. Multiple selective transfers are implemented by independent pressure control of two separate vacuum channels with a high transfer yield of 98.06%. Finally, flexible micro light-emitting diodes and transistors with uniform electrical/optical properties are fabricated via micro-vacuum assisted selective transfer.

First principle analysis of toxic gas adsorption on pristine WS2 and Fe-doped WS2: Implications for gas sensing

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as MoS2 and WS2, are the focus of current research. TMDs are employed in many applications, including optoelectronic, solar cells, gas sensing, rechargeable batteries, and spintronic devices. In the existing work, we have explored the stability of pristine and Iron (Fe) doped WS2 and the adsorption property towards harmful gases such as NO, NO2, NH3, BCl3, and SO2 by executing the first principles calculations. To analyse the electronic properties of pristine and Iron (Fe) doped WS2, band structure, the density of states, the projected density of states, electrostatic difference density, electrostatic localisation function, binding energy and charge transfer of the systems have been calculated. To study the adsorption property of the systems, adsorption energy, adsorption distance, recovery time and work function have been evaluated. Our findings represented that Fe-doped WS2 has higher magnitude charge transfer and good conductivity than pristine WS2. Also, the adsorption analysis towards the gas molecules shows that the Fe-doped WS2 shows prominent adsorption for NO, BCl3 and SO2 compared with pristine WS2. And the physisorption nature of gas molecules is noticed through no electron localisation overlap for Fe-doped WS2 and pristine WS2 systems. Therefore, we concluded that Fe-doped WS2 is ideal for gas-sensing applications.

N-cyanoguanidine modified-black peanut shell biochar: fabrication and its sorption for Cu(II) and Co(II) in a single and mixed solutions

A N-cyanoguanidine (NCY)-modified black peanut shell biochar was fabricated via NCY to modify waste black peanut shell. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscope–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to characterize its performance. Sorption experiments were made to perceive its sorption for Cu(II) and Co(II) and disclosed that Cu(II) had higher sorption selectivity in mixed binary and four-metal solution. Sorption kinetics showed that Cu(II) and Co(II) sorption fitted well with pseudo-1st–order kinetic and diffusion-chemisorption models. Sorption isotherms revealed that Langmuir model can better describe its sorption behavior for Cu(II) and Co(II) and its maximum Qm could reach up to 185.66 and 80.59 mg/g at 45 °C, respectively. Thermodynamic factors indicated that Cu(II) and Co(II) sorption on NCY-modified black peanut shell biochar was an endothermic and spontaneous manner. Both effective diffusion coefficients (kIp) and mass-transfer coefficients (DEx) proved that Cu(II) and Co(II) sorption comprised multiple-step paces. The major mechanism included electrostatic attraction, mass transfer, complex and chelation, and diffusion-chemisorption. This finding suggests that NCY-modified black peanut shell biochar can be potentially applied to dispose Cu(II) and Co(II)-bearing wastewater from spent new power batteries.

Electrostatic Adsorption Behaviors of Polymer Plates to a Droplet.

Electrostatic transfer and adsorption of electrically conductive polymer-coated poly(ethylene terephthalate) plates from a particle bed to a water droplet were studied, with the influence of plate thickness and shape observed. After synthesis and confirmation of the particles' properties using stereo and scanning electron microscopies, elemental microanalysis, and water contact angle measurement, the electric field strength and droplet-bed separation distance required for transfer were measured. An electrometer and high-speed video footage were used to measure the charge transferred by each particle, and its orientation and adsorption behavior during transfer and at the droplet interface. The use of plates of consistent square cross section allowed the impact of contact-area-dependent particle cohesion and gravity on the electrostatic transfer of particles to be decoupled for the first time. The electrostatic force required to extract a plate was directly proportional to the plate mass (thickness), a trend very different from that previously observed for spherical particles of varied diameter (mass). This reflected the different relationship between mass, surface area, and cohesive forces for spherical and plate-shaped particles of different sizes. Thicker plates transferred more charge to the droplet, probably due to their remaining at the bed at higher field strengths. The impact of plate cross-sectional geometry was also assessed. Differences in the ease of transfer of square, hexagonal, and circular plates seemed to depend only on their mass, while other aspects of their comparative behavior are attributed to the more concentrated charge distribution present on particles with sharper vertices.

Fluorescence light-up electrospun membrane incorporated with perovskite nanoclusters as a highly sensitive colorimetric probe for detection of amine vapors during food spoilage

Volatile amine vapors are harmful to the environment and humans, and intelligent, sensitive, and selective colorimetric perovskite nanoclusters-based sensing strips have attracted attention due to their outstanding ability to detect volatile amines in intelligent packaging systems. Herein, based on the light-down sensing principle, highly sensitive fluorescent probe strips with excellent revisability and durability characteristics were produced by encapsulating CsPbBr3 nanoclusters in electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibrous membrane (CPB*NFM). CPB*NFM strip sensors exhibited an obvious fluorescence quenching response at 513 nm when exposed to amine vapors with a low detection limit (87 ppb) and exhibited rapid attenuation due to reversible electrostatic electron transfer at the perovskite-NHx interface. This phenomenon was attributed to a crystal change in CsPbBr3 at the amine interface and its reversal after amine removal under normal atmospheric conditions. We believe the flexibility and stability of the devised CPB*NFM make them suitable for monitoring food spoilage in intelligent packing systems and for determining the amine contents of foods.

The dominant component of strong π-hole interactions: electrostatic attraction versus charge transfer.

The dominant component of strong π-hole interactions: electrostatic attraction versus charge transfer.

Hydrogen physisorption on the (BeO)n, B2H4(Be,Ti), and B6Ti3 metal clusters: a computational study of energies and atomic charges.

The equilibrium structures of BeO clusters and Be,Ti-decorated boranes were computed with the ωB97X-D method and the 6-31G + (2d,2p) and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets to study their intermolecular interactions with hydrogen molecules. Thermochemical and molecular properties such as the harmonic vibrational frequency, dipole and quadrupole moments, and atomic charges are employed to understand the attractive interactions that control the adsorption process. Comparison of molecular properties and atomic charges of the studied compounds before and after H2 molecule adsorption shows that most of the interactions among the BeO clusters and boranes with H2 molecules constitute a combination of dispersion, electrostatic, and weak charge transfer interactions. Calculated values of Hirschfeld atomic charges and ΔEe (in parenthesis) (BeO)4.8H2 (0.028 e and -2.0kcal.mol-1), (BeO)2.12H2 (0.030 e and -2.8kcal.mol-1), B6Ti3.10H2 (0.045 e and -15.4kcal.mol-1), and B6Ti3+.10H2 (0.058 e and -15.3kcal.mol-1) show qualitative correlation between hydrogen atomic charges and electronic energy of hydrogen interaction. The ωB97X-D/6-31 + G(2d,2p) values of Gibbs free energy at 298.15K for (BeO)4.8H2 B2H4Ti.4H2 and B6Ti3.10H2 clusters are equal to -5.0, -4.9, and -5.1kcal.mol-1, respectively, which are within the range of energy parameters of materials that could be employed in hydrogen storage tanks for light vehicles.