Complete Prevention of Contact Electrification by Molecular Engineering

Electrostatic charges caused by contact electrification are ubiquitous in nature, and their accumulation on surfaces could cause many undesirable consequences. Despite notable progress, existing antistatic approaches are heavily dependent on either the modification of the bulk materials or the delicate control of surface patterning. Taking advantage of the fact that contact electrification originates from electron transfer dictated by surface potential difference, herein, we report the rational design of chemically heterogeneous but electrostatically homogeneous coatings through the molecular engineering of the surface potential to suppress electron transfer so as to completely prevent electrostatic charge generation during contact electrification. Our strategy is general, endowing the simple fabrication of robust antistatic coatings on arbitrary surfaces.