SURFACE-ANALYSES BY A TRIBOELECTRIC CHARGING TECHNIQUE

A device for measuring triboelectric charge exchange is described. Triboelectric charging is a surface phenomenon. It is sensitive to the chemical (molecular) structure of the surface. The utility of the technique for detection of surface contamination by mass transfer and of chemical transformations of surfaces is demonstrated by description of several examples. Not only can such changes be detected, but by a knowledge of the relationship between triboelectric charging and molecular structure, deductions as to the nature of the new surface species can be made. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.