School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin Institute of Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia.
J Am Chem Soc. 2021 Mar 3;143(8):3019-3032. doi: 10.1021/jacs.0c11006. Epub 2021 Feb 18.
The phenomenon of surface electrification upon contact is a long-standing scientific puzzle, with for instance written accounts of charged samples of amber attracting feathers dating back to the 600 B.C. Electrostatic hazards associated with electrical insulators subject to mechanical friction are well documented, and the design of commercial products, such as copiers and laser printers, is based on the static charging of electrical insulators. Nonetheless, the physical-chemical origin of this phenomenon remains debated. This Perspective outlines recent advances in our understanding of the mechanism behind contact electrification, as well as the emerging research area of electrochemistry on insulators. Research is beginning to demonstrate how to exploit static charges present on insulating surfaces, with the goal of driving redox reactivity. These studies have helped to clarify the triboelectrification mechanism and have defined new platforms for electrochemiluminescence, metal nucleation, and mask-free lithography. This Perspective will help researchers working within electrochemistry, physics, green energy, sensing, and materials to gain an understanding of the implications of contact electrification to their respective fields. Special attention is given to the chemical, electronic, and mechanical factors influencing triboelectrochemical reactions, concluding with the perceived challenges facing further development of this field.
接触起电现象是一个由来已久的科学谜题，例如，早在公元前 600 年就有关于带电荷的琥珀样本吸引羽毛的记载。与经受机械摩擦的电绝缘体相关的静电危害已有详细记录，并且复印机和激光打印机等商业产品的设计基于电绝缘体的静电充电。尽管如此，这种现象的物理化学起源仍存在争议。本观点概述了我们对接触起电机制的理解的最新进展，以及电绝缘体电化学这一新兴研究领域。研究开始展示如何利用绝缘表面上存在的静电荷，以驱动氧化还原反应性。这些研究有助于阐明摩擦起电机制，并为电化学发光、金属成核和无掩模光刻定义了新平台。本观点将有助于电化学、物理、绿色能源、传感和材料领域的研究人员了解接触起电对各自领域的影响。特别关注影响摩擦电化学的化学、电子和机械因素，最后讨论了该领域进一步发展所面临的挑战。
