Agricultural Electrostatic Spraying Electrode Corrosion Degradation Mechanisms: A Multi-Parameter Coupling Model

Yufei Li, Anni Zou, Jun Hu (), Changxi Liu, Shengxue Zhao, Qingda Li, Wei Zhang and Yafei Wang
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Yufei Li: College of Engineering, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China
Anni Zou: College of Engineering, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China
Jun Hu: College of Engineering, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China
Changxi Liu: College of Engineering, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China
Shengxue Zhao: College of Engineering, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China
Qingda Li: College of Engineering, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China
Wei Zhang: College of Engineering, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China
Yafei Wang: School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 13, 1-20

Abstract: As an innovative plant protection method in precision agriculture, electrostatic spray technology can increase the droplet coverage area by over 30% coMpared to conventional spraying. This technology not only achieves higher droplet deposition density and coverage but also enables water and pesticide savings while reducing environmental pollution. This study, combining theoretical analysis with experimental validation, reveals the critical role of electrode material selection in induction-based electrostatic spray systems. Theoretical analysis indicates that the Fermi level and work function of electrode materials fundamentally determine charge transfer efficiency, while corrosion resistance emerges as a key parameter affecting system durability. To elucidate the effects of different electrode materials on droplet charging, a coMparative study was conducted on nickel, copper, and brass electrodes in both pristine and moderately corroded states based on the corrosion classification standard, using a targeted mesh-based charge-to-mass measurement device. The results demonstrated that the nickel electrode achieved a peak charge-to-mass ratio of 1.92 mC/kg at 10 kV, which was 8.5% and 11.6% higher than copper (1.77 mC/kg) and brass (1.72 mC/kg), respectively. After corrosion, nickel exhibited the smallest reduction in the charge-to-mass ratio (19.2%), significantly outperforming copper (40.2%) and brass (21.6%). Droplet size analysis using a Malvern Panalytical Spraytec spray particle analyzer (measurement range: 0.1–2000 µm) further confirmed the atomization advantages of nickel electrodes. The volume median diameter (Dv50) of droplets produced by nickel was 4.2–8 μm and 6.8–12.3 um smaller than those from copper and brass electrodes, respectively. After corrosion, nickel showed a smaller increase in droplet size spectrum inhomogeneity (24.5%), which was lower than copper (30.4%) and brass (25.8%), indicating superior droplet uniformity. By establishing a multi-factor predictive model for spray droplet size after electrode corrosion, this study quantifies the correlation between electrode characteristics and spray performance metrics. It provides a theoretical basis for designing weather-resistant electrostatic spray systems suitable for agricultural pesticide application scenarios involving prolonged exposure to corrosive chemicals. This work offers significant technical support for sustainable crop protection strategies.

Keywords: electrode material; electrostatic spraying; charge-to-mass ratio; droplet size distribution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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