A simple model of charge transfer by loss-less quantum-mechanical tunneling between two solids is proposed. The model is applicable to electron transport and contact electrification between e.g. a metal and a dielectric solid. Based on a one-dimensional effective-mass Hamiltonian, the tunneling transmission coefficient of electrons through a barrier from one solid to another solid is calculated analytically. The transport rate (current) of electrons is found using the Tsu-Esaki equation and accounting for different Fermi functions of the two solids. We show that the tunneling dynamics is very sensitive to the vacuum potential versus the two solids conduction-band edges and the thickness of the vacuum gap. The relevant time constants for tunneling and contact electrification, relevant for triboelectricity, can vary over several orders of magnitude when the vacuum gap changes by one order of magnitude, say, 1 Å to 10 Å. Coulomb repulsion between electrons on the left and right material surfaces is accounted for in the tunneling dynamics.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.34133/2019/6528689 | DOI Listing |
RSC Adv
January 2025
College of Agricultural Engineering and Food Science, Shandong University of Technology Zibo 255000 China
Green, efficient treatment of crude oil spills and oil pollutants is a global challenge, with adsorption technology favored for its efficiency and low environmental impact. The development of an environmentally friendly adsorbent with high hydrophobicity, excellent adsorption performance, and degradability is crucial to overcoming the limitations of petroleum-based adsorbents. Here, a lignin-based polyurethane foam (LPUF) with superhydrophobic and photothermal oil-absorbing properties was fabricated by incorporating octadecyltrimethoxysilane into the foam system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSmall
December 2024
Key Laboratory of Advanced Marine Materials, Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Corrosion and Bio-Fouling, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China.
The ocean wave energy is considered one of the most promising forms of marine blue energy due to its vast reserves and high energy density. However, traditional electromagnetic power generation technology suffers from drawbacks such as high maintenance costs, heavy structures, and low conversion efficiency, which restricts its application range. The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) uses Maxwell displacement current as its internal driving force, which can efficiently convert irregular, low-frequency, and dispersed mechanical energy into electrical energy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Mater
December 2024
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, 999077, China.
The ability to rapidly charge batteries is crucial for widespread electrification across a number of key sectors, including transportation, grid storage, and portable electronics. Nevertheless, conventional Li-ion batteries with organic liquid electrolytes face significant technical challenges in achieving rapid charging rates without sacrificing electrochemical efficiency and safety. Solid-state batteries (SSBs) offer intrinsic stability and safety over their liquid counterparts, which can potentially bring exciting opportunities for fast charging applications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFACS Nano
January 2025
Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Joint International Research Laboratory of Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, P. R. China.
Triboelectrification-based artificial mechanoreceptors (TBAMs) is able to convert mechanical stimuli directly into electrical signals, realizing self-adaptive protection and human-machine interactions of robots. However, traditional contact-electrification interfaces are prone to reaching their deformation limits under large pressures, resulting in a relatively narrow linear range. In this work, we fabricated mechano-graded microstructures to modulate the strain behavior of contact-electrification interfaces, simultaneously endowing the TBAMs with a high sensitivity and a wide linear detection range.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
December 2024
Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
The incompatibility of the high sensitivity and wide linear range still restricts the further development of active sensors. Here we report a triboelectric pressure sensor based on water-containing triboelectric elastomer with gradient-based microchannels. Tiny amount of liquid is injected into the triboelectric elastomer and the pressure-induced water bridges can modulate the built-in electric field of the sensor, which enhance the signal linearity near the compression limit.
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