Innovative Undergraduate Experiments in Solid–Liquid Contact Electrification: Droplet Nanogenerators and Contact-Electro-Catalysis

Contact electrification (CE) between hydrophobic polymers and water is a captivating phenomenon with practical applications in energy harvesting, sensing, and catalysis. This process involves charge transfer at the interface during solid–liquid contact electrification, enabling applications such as triboelectric nanogenerators and humidity sensors. To introduce this concept into the undergraduate classroom, we have developed two hands-on experiments. The first experiment involves a droplet nanogenerator, where students assemble the generator and power a commercial light-emitting diode (LED), exploring the application of solid–liquid contact electrification in converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Additionally, we designed an integrated experiment that applies the principles of solid–liquid contact electrification to catalysis, specifically in the emerging field of contact-electro-catalysis (CEC). By integrating CE-driven hydrogen peroxide production with luminol chemiluminescence, this interdisciplinary experiment bridges concepts from contact electrification, sonochemistry, and chemiluminescence. This experiment offers students a valuable opportunity to bridge theoretical concepts with hands-on laboratory work, deepening their understanding of fundamental chemistry principles through an engaging exploration of energy conversion, catalysis, and chemiluminescence.