Electrification at water–hydrophobe interfaces

Jamilya Nauruzbayeva, Zhonghao Sun, Adair Gallo, Mahmoud Ibrahim, J. Carlos Santamarina and Himanshu Mishra ()
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Jamilya Nauruzbayeva: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Zhonghao Sun: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Ali I. Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center (ANPERC), Division of Physical Science and Engineering
Adair Gallo: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Mahmoud Ibrahim: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering
J. Carlos Santamarina: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Ali I. Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center (ANPERC), Division of Physical Science and Engineering
Himanshu Mishra: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The mechanisms leading to the electrification of water when it comes in contact with hydrophobic surfaces remains a research frontier in chemical science. A clear understanding of these mechanisms could, for instance, aid the rational design of triboelectric generators and micro- and nano-fluidic devices. Here, we investigate the origins of the excess positive charges incurred on water droplets that are dispensed from capillaries made of polypropylene, perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane-coated glass, and polytetrafluoroethylene. Results demonstrate that the magnitude and sign of electrical charges vary depending on: the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of the capillary; the presence/absence of a water reservoir inside the capillary; the chemical and physical properties of aqueous solutions such as pH, ionic strength, dielectric constant and dissolved CO2 content; and environmental conditions such as relative humidity. Based on these results, we deduce that common hydrophobic materials possess surface-bound negative charge. Thus, when these surfaces are submerged in water, hydrated cations form an electrical double layer. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the primary role of hydrophobicity is to facilitate water-substrate separation without leaving a significant amount of liquid behind. These results advance the fundamental understanding of water-hydrophobe interfaces and should translate into superior materials and technologies for energy transduction, electrowetting, and separation processes, among others.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19054-8

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