Control of surface charges by radicals as a principle of antistatic polymers protecting electronic circuitry.
Even minute quantities of electric charge accumulating on polymer surfaces can cause shocks, explosions, and multibillion-dollar losses to electronic circuitry. This paper demonstrates that to remove static electricity, it is not at all necessary to "target" the charges themselves. Instead, the way to discharge a polymer is to remove radicals from its surface. These radicals colocalize with and stabilize the charges; when they are scavenged, the surfaces discharge rapidly. This radical-charge interplay allows for controlling static electricity by doping common polymers with small amounts of radical-scavenging molecules, including the familiar vitamin E. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated by rendering common polymers dust-mitigating and also by using them as coatings that prevent the failure of electronic circuitry.
Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
H Tarik
HT
Baytekin
Bilge
B
Baytekin
Thomas M
TM
Hermans
Bartlomiej
B
Kowalczyk
Bartosz A
BA
Grzybowski
D055359:Antistatic Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry*; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes / Q000737:chemistry; D004391:Dust / Q000517:prevention & control; D055615:Electrical Equipment and Supplies; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry; D055672:Static Electricity / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000737:chemistry*
D055359:Antistatic Agents; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D004391:Dust; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D011108:Polymers; D011137:Polystyrenes; D014810:Vitamin E; C013830:baysilon