Triboelectricity in Polymers (original) (raw)

Nature volume 196, page 474 (1962)Cite this article

Abstract

IT must be emphasized that the reality of a triboelectric series implies a single determinant property acting at both donor and acceptor surfaces. An ‘abundance effect’1, if real, may be a cause of minor anomalies, but it cannot be dominant since metals, which may be inserted in the series, contain incomparably more conduction electrons than do insulators. The Frenkel mechanism2 of thermal excitation alone is inadequate, since pyrolysis would occur, in the 100 µsec suggested by Frenkel, below 500° C, at which the population of conduction electrons might well be Only 100 per c.c. Since it is known that calendering may reduce the molecular weight of polymers, I suggest that free radicals, produced by mechanical stress, form a source of relatively high-energy electrons, easily excited to the conduction-level. The much-discussed charge transfer by non-rubbing contact remains improbable except between distant members of the series.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Subscribe to this journal

Receive 51 print issues and online access

$199.00 per year

only $3.90 per issue

Buy this article

USD 39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Additional access options:

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Henry, P. S. H., Brit. J. App. Phys., Suppl. No. 2, S 6 (1953).
  2. Frenkel, J., J. Phys. (U.S.S.R.), 5, No. 1, 25 (1941).
    CAS Google Scholar
  3. Fukada, E., and Fowler, J. F., Nature, 181, 693 (1958).
    Article ADS Google Scholar
  4. Ellison, A. H., and Zisman, W. A., J. Phys. Chem., 58, 503 (1954).
    Article CAS Google Scholar
  5. van Ostenburg, D. O., and Montgomery, D. J., Textile Res. J., 28, 22 (1958).
    Article Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre d'Etude des Matières Plastiques, 13 rue Pierre Curie, Montrouge, Seine, France
    J. HENNIKER

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

HENNIKER, J. Triboelectricity in Polymers.Nature 196, 474 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1038/196474a0

Download citation

This article is cited by