Complete Prevention of Contact Electrification by Molecular Engineering

•Facile fabrication of antistatic coatings on surfaces with arbitrary shapes•Chemically heterogeneous but electrostatically homogeneous surfaces•Suppression charge generation during contact electrification Electrostatic charges caused by are ubiquitous in nature, and their accumulation could cause many undesirable consequences. Despite notable progress, existing approaches heavily dependent either the modification bulk materials or delicate control surface patterning. Taking advantage fact that originates from electron transfer dictated potential difference, herein, we report rational design chemically through molecular engineering to suppress so as completely prevent electrostatic electrification. Our strategy is general, endowing simple robust surfaces. easily generated Although these invisible have emerged a new dimension mediating functions surfaces, such energy conversion, liquid transport, reactivity, adsorbability, can also pose suffer limitations need modify for patterning rely neutralization charges. Herein, general toolbox designing leveraging components electron-donating electron-accepting functions, i.e., N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl trimethoxysilane, molecularly engineer achieve an homogeneity generation. approach which allows facile various materials, even flexible curved, good re-writability transparency. Developing reduce fundamental interest practical importance science industry.1Lowell J. Rose-Innes A. Contact electrification.Adv. Phys. 1980; 29: 947-1023Crossref Scopus (667) Google Scholar,2Lacks D.J. Shinbrot T. Long-standing unresolved issues triboelectric charging.Nat. Rev. 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Without proper control, localized maintains ability effect breaks down imbalance between Second, preferred requires sophisticated fabrication, it becomes challenging fabricate non-planar importantly, carefully designed specific counter surface, thus re-designing manufacturing required when encountered, laborious process time consuming. As result, striking contrast conventional stringent neutralization, facile, desired. this study, develop engineered coating overcomes inherent challenges encountered preventing any location. mainly relies two groups modulate achievement complete We demonstrate compared exhibits excellent advantages terms performance. choice kinds ethanol-soluble silane molecules, (APTS) trimethoxysilane (FOTS), natures (shown Figures 1A 1B ). both APTS FOTS groups, bond wide hydroxylated (polyethylene [PE], polypropylene [PP], polycarbonate [PC], polyoxymethylene [POM], [PA6]), metals (copper), inorganic non-metals (glass, SiO2), fabrics (nylon), (polydimethylsiloxane [PDMS], paper), on. existence silane-anchored demonstrated change (in Figure S1), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra confirm evidence ATPS SiO2 1C). show functional groups. nature amino whereas FOTS, consisting fluorine atoms, negatively.22Shin shown Table S1, substrate always charged, while uncoated our experiments. Based substrates S2, determined containing (Figure 1A). series, opposite abilities, crucial ideal coating. Guided fabricated dip-coating properly tailoring molar fraction (λ) (1 − λ). experiment, pre-determined first oxygen plasma then dipped into 5 mM mixed ethanol solution comprising 3 h. After that, were rinsed remove possible molecule residues, followed drying nitrogen stream. Unlike alone, obtained regulated λ. reflected static angles water, increase λ, decrease linearly, indicating 1D), confirmed dynamic water S3. prepared λ elastic PDMS investigate how affects setup 2A S2. utility soft flat material (with compressive modulus ~3.13 MPa S3 roughness ~0.239 nm S4) eliminates unwanted point rigid substrates. Before measurement, ionizing air blower pre-existing When vertically contacted substrate, equal quantity polarity electrification.28Sutka Malnieks Lapcinskis Kaufelde Linarts Berzina Zabels Jurkans V. Gornevs Blums Knite role intermolecular forces polymer nanogenerators.Energy Environ. 2417-2421Crossref Scholar,29Zou Guo He Dai A.C. Z.L. Quantifying series.Nat. Commun. 10: 1427Crossref (421) mode, there no electrodes. separated, difference across built, driving flow back electrodes, evidenced variation 2B. amount transferred separate mode coating29Zou maximum occur = 0 1, respectively, crossover happens lies 0.6 0.8. contacts again, contact-separation cycle starts (the Video S1). stable 2,000 cycles S5), robustness stability https://www.cell.com/cms/asset/5dc2329b-6bcd-43ca-93b8-b7e689b0268e/mmc2.mp4Loading ... Download .mp4 (1.45 MB) Help files S1. Measurement Generated Charges Schematic Drawing Electron Transfer Contact-Separation Cycles critical manifest defined λNCS, theoretically considering density (σ) function 2C), fitted linear equation expressed as:σ=λσAPTS+(1−λ)σFOTS,(Equation 1) σFOTS σAPTS densities (λ 0) respectively. copper, approximately −21.5 10.6 μC/m2, λNCS calculated 0.67, denoted red star 2C. chose 0.67 value subsequent measurement characterization. macroscopic relevant applications comparing attraction polystyrene (PS) spheres without 2D 2E repeatedly immersing out chamber full PS average diameter ~3 mm leads totally different scenarios expression attractive coulombic force objects. pristine covered numerous spheres, leading large coverage rate result area divided entire (right y axis 2F). contrast, PDMS, near zero. characterizing evolution (left cycles, gradually eventually reach 20 cycles. negligible. Further, examined under humidity conditions 2G). It well known dry conditions, proved surface. decreases, adheres spheres. still shows lower not changed if stored 120 days. https://www.cell.com/cms/asset/f247dbf7-b8b6-43bd-9459-b64a878aa05a/mmc3.mp4Loading (5.75 Comparison Adsorption Spheres Pristine Antistatic Surfaces quantified perspective potential, property reflects direction transfer.21Byun derived measuring (VCPD) fixed tip Kelvin probe microscopy.30Melitz Shen Kummel microscopy application.Surf. Rep. 66: 1-27Crossref (872) silica accurately map 3A VCPD images before (top) (bottom), corresponding values upper part 3B. Clearly, proportional suggesting potential. each sample contact, ΔVCPD (lower 3B), coatings. found SiO2, apparent λNCS. ratio APTS, alone obtains charge, gains charge. Importantly, careful inspection reveals potentials all samples regardless reminiscent signature homogeneity. Such manifested uncoated, understood validated range contact. S6, highest lowest much higher demonstrates regulating cooperation further deduced one molecule. elementary e (1.60 × 10−19 C). σ (~20.1 μC/m2) measured ~1/8,000 nm−2. Since order 1 nm−2,31Grabbe Double-layer interactions silylated surfaces.Langmuir. 797-801Crossref (58) roughly occupied about 8,000 uniformly distributed molecules (defined patch). patch applicable generates electrification; therefore, homogeneous, illustrated 3C. understanding considered extensive research, roles transfer, ion debate. Considering polymers8Liu Young's cohesive energy,32Baytekin Incorvati J.T. Material reversal charging.Angew. 4843-4847Crossref (105) work, choose explain experimental results. Briefly, according electron-cloud-potential model,33Xu Zi Y.C. On electron-transfer contact-electrification effect.Adv. 1706790Crossref (249) 34Xu Pan Lin al.Raising working temperature quenching thermionic emission contact-electrification.Adv. 1803968Crossref (96) 35Wang origin contact-electrification.Mater. Today. 34-51Crossref (318) potentials, clouds overlap, barrier lowers, resulting separation, electrons remain obtaining 3D 3E, (λ0.0), (λ1.0) loss hence same suppressed, thereby anticipated combinations ability, halogen-terminated aminated potential.22Shin generality coatings, independent 4A as-prepared (including PP, PE, PC, POM, PA6). Regardless types substrates, linearly means Equation 1. continuous five coated. 4B. hand, ability. pronounced over surfaces.24Soh Existing distribution 4C). case, areas break mismatch cut fractions 4D), 4E), demonstrating maintaining sustained effect. shape simply standard processes, dip coating, spin spray 4F as-fabricated curved including outside ring inside rubber tube length ~9 cm. validating morphology would provide additional flexibility industrially applications, non-metal petroleum pipelines. Two appealing features re-writability. photographs transmission light recorded UV-Vis S7), exhibit identical transparency, thin (less 2 nm, S8) smooth (~0.264 do affect samples. application scenarios, inevitably subject important dynamically re-write sustain property. poses re-coated merely changing solution, easier less etch away original rinsing residues. desired was location before. 4G, converted again. Notably, re-writing process, unchanged. summary, novel, prevents imparting advantages, re-writable robustness, choices. Moreover, addition reported extending well. Furthermore, combination abilities provides meaningful platform obtain electrification, scientific research mass spectroscopy.36Li Fernandez F.M. Triboelectric nanogenerators sensitive nano-coulomb spectrometry.Nat. Nanotechnol. 481-487Crossref (159)