What Puts the “Tribo” in Triboelectricity?

Abstract

An enduring question in science has been why sliding plays a major role in the triboelectric generation of static electricity-the “tribo” in triboelectricity. We provide here a general explanation which is rooted in established science. When sliding is taking place, there is symmetry breaking due to elastic shear, so the front of the sliding body experiences different elastic strains from the back. Consequently the polarization and associated charges at the front and back are not the same, and the difference between the two leads to current flow similar to the difference in air pressure above and below a plane’s wing leading to lift. Specific calculations are provided which show good agreement with prior experimental measurements of size and shape dependencies, and reasonable quantitative agreement with experimental current measurements.