The Role of Electron Emission in Tribochemistry: A Review

This paper discusses the phenomena of electron emission from sliding contacts with a focus on the possible role of charged-particles in tribochemical processes. A review is presented of (i) experimental work on triboemission of low-energy electrons from scratching of ceramics at low sliding speeds, (ii) the importance of emitted electrons for initiating tribochemical reactions, and (iii) research on the conditions for thermionic electron emission from metals during sliding contact, Specific connections are made between the Negative-Ion Radical Action Mechanism (NIRAM) and recent experimental results in the fields of triboemission and tribochemistry, including tribopolymerization.