Effect of Redox Atmosphere on Contact Electrification of Polymers

The Triboelectric Nanogenerator has demonstrated broad applications in energy, environmental, and electronic fields, as well as huge potential in the mechanism study of contact electrification, since 2012. Herein, we employed a Triboelectric Nanogenerator working in vertical contact-separation mode to study the electrification performance of the polymer under redox atmosphere. The results show that the electron-withdrawing ability of the polymer is weakened with increasing O₃ concentration. Considering that O₃ is typically one of the strongest oxidants, we further studied the electrification performance under H₂, CO, and O₂ atmosphere. It is found that the electron-withdrawing ability was predictably weakened under O₂ atmosphere similar to the case of O₃. On the contrary, the electron-withdrawing ability was enhanced under H₂ and CO atmosphere. Accordingly, a theoretical mechanism involving the highest occupied surface state level is proposed to explain the effect of redox atmosphere on contact electrification. These results clarify that contact electrification can be varied by redox agents. Conversely, it also suggests the possibility to manipulate the redox reactions through the modification of contact electrification.