Triboelectric charging of model granular polymers before and after exposure to an atmospheric DBD plasma

This study investigates the triboelectric charging behavior of non-brominated model plastic particles (ABS, PC and PS) using a fluidized bed tribocharger. The effects of charging time, the tribocharger wall material (PVC and PMMA) and surface modification by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment were examined. The results demonstrate that triboelectric charging behavior is strongly influenced by charging time, particle-wall material pairing and plasma surface treatment. DBD treatment not only increased the amount of charge acquired but also reversed the charge polarity of the particles. FTIR-ATR analysis of ABS particles treated with DBD plasma for different treatment durations was performed to investigate possible plasma induced surface chemical modifications, which help explain the changes observed in their triboelectric behavior.