Regulation and influence factors of triboelectricity at the solid-liquid interface

• Published in: Nano energy Vol. 78; p. 105370
• Main Authors: Zhang, Liqiang, Li, Xiaojuan, Zhang, Yunlei, Feng, Yange, Zhou, Feng, Wang, Daoai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2020
• Subjects: Contact electrification; Electron dissipation; Ionic concentration; Polarity change; Solid–liquid interface; Polarity change; Solid–liquid interface; Ionic concentration; Electron dissipation; Contact electrification
• ISSN: 2211-2855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2020.105370

Based on the principle of electric double layer (EDL) theory and the two-step model of electron or/and ion transfer, recent studies have indicated that electron transfer and ion transfer have a dual effect on the contact electrification (CE) of the solid–liquid interface, whereas the interfered contribution of different factors has received little attention. Herein, through a tubular liquid–solid triboelectric nanogenerator, the effects of temperature, ionic concentration, and pH value on the CE are studied, which reveals that the change in the polarity and size of the triboelectricity is attributed to the combined effects on the basis of charge dissipation, counter ion attraction and carrier type. The competitive effect of electrolyte concentration leads to the formation of maximum triboelectric output. Moreover, the change of pH values makes the situation more complicated because the ions adsorbed on the surface have also changed, which causes the maximum output of the triboelectricity to appear twice before and after the isoelectric point (IEP). In addition, CE is also controlled by changes in surface composition. These data can contribute to comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of the CE at the solid–liquid interface. The process of contact electrification at the actual solid-liquid interface is often affected not by a single condition, but by a combination of factors including electron dissipation, counter-ion adsorption, carrier competition and so on. Our research reveals that these factors are interrelated and regulate solid-liquid triboelectricity in a synergistic or antagonistic manner. [Display omitted] •The ionic concentration causes a non-monotonic change in the output of L-TENG.•The adsorption of counter ions caused by changes in pH value leads to the inversion of the triboelectric polarity.•The influence of ion concentration is also reflected in the regulation of L-TENG output by pH value.•Changes in surface composition can affect both the scale and polarity of triboelectricity.