Charge density on fracture surfaces and contact electrification of identical materials.

Kadono, Toshihiko; Ogawa, Kazunori; Shirai, Kei; Kobayashi, Hideyuki · Phys Rev E · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Contact electrification of identical materials happens during collisions, rubbing, and mixing of granular materials. Fractures often accompany these processes, and the resulting fracture surfaces are typically charged. Based on visible-light and X-ray observations of fracture, we demonstrate that the charge density on fracture surfaces of organic and inorganic materials is consistent with those observed in collisions, rubbing, and mixing. This indicates that fractures involve contact electrification of identical materials.