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Size dependent polarities in tribocharged dust aggregates

Christopher Grünebeck¹, Florence Chioma Onyeagusi¹, Jens Teiser¹

¹Lotharstrasse 1, D-47057 Duisburg, Germany. christopher.gruenebeck@uni-due.de.

|November 22, 2024

Summary

Small dust aggregates gain negative charges, while larger ones acquire positive charges during collisions. This study explores tribocharging complexities in microgravity using dust aggregates, revealing size-dependent charging behaviors.

Area of Science:

Planetary Science
Plasma Physics
Materials Science

Background:

Particle size influences tribocharging polarity in mutual collisions, with smaller particles typically becoming negative.
Previous studies focused on monolithic grains, leaving the tribocharging of dust aggregates less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the tribocharging of (sub-)millimeter dust aggregates under microgravity conditions.
To determine how the aggregate structure, compared to monolithic grains, affects charging processes.

Main Methods:

Conducted microgravity experiments involving dust aggregates.
Measured particle charges by observing their motion within a controlled electric field.

Main Results:

Dust aggregates exhibit size-dependent charging, similar to monolithic grains.
Smaller aggregates predominantly acquired negative charges.
Larger aggregates predominantly acquired positive charges.

Conclusions:

The complexity of dust aggregates, including grain size, surface alterations, and material composition, influences tribocharging.
Despite complexities, aggregates follow a general trend of negative charging for small sizes and positive for large sizes.

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