Electrification of polymers and production of electrets in 3D printing

• Grant number: 25/01483-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Physical-Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Augusto de Lima Burgo
• Grantee: Milton Alves Faria Neto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Spontaneous electrification of surfaces and interfaces is a widespread phenomenon that produces unexpected effects on chemical reactivity and bulk charge transfer, as revealed by an abundant literature over the past twenty years. The ubiquitous presence of electrostatic charges originates from a variety of sources, including friction, mechanochemical reactions, phase change, flexoelectricity, and others. Since fused deposition modeling (FDM) undergoes most of the known electrification mechanisms, it would not be surprising to see large amounts of charge present in 3D printed objects. In this project, we will explore the hitherto unexplored field of electrostatic charge in 3D printing, focusing on the impact of printing parameters on charge generation in polymers. Substrates, printing speed, temperature, and printing direction are expected to have distinct impacts on charge accumulation depending on the material used for printing. We will also develop simple protocols using common multimeters for charge monitoring, while substrates subjected to corona charging or triboelectrification will be investigated as the basis for methods for charge control or mitigation. Finally, since electric charge in polymers is generally slow to dissipate and FDM allows filaments to be deposited molten and then rapidly cooled, we imagine that it will be possible to demonstrate the ability to print electrets, indicating a possible revolution in the production technology of these materials.