Flow Interface Regulates Charge and Reactivity of Bulk Liquid

Flow alters the charge distribution at the solid-liquid interface. However, the property change in bulk liquids in the flow has received little attention. In this article, we show that the charge separation between liquid and solid surfaces is controllable, and interfacial chemistry is changed to make electrostatically charged and reactive water. We designed a pipeline with unequal cross-sectional diameters at both ends to enhance the pressure difference between the two ends of the pipeline. By adjusting the flow rate, pipeline length, and cross-sectional diameter of the conical port, we achieved flexible control of the amount of liquid charge. To further regulate the liquid charge, we grafted charged molecular brushes onto the inner wall of the pipeline. In particular, the polarity of liquid charges is opposite to the polarity of the pipeline's inner wall surface. Finally, we demonstrated the chemical activity of charged water through oxidative degradation of methylene blue and reduction of chloroauric acid.