Electron charging of particles, as may be associated with electrographic
and/or xerographic image forming devices, powder coat finishing devices
and/or guns, or the like, is performed by subjecting a stream of
particles to electron bombardment from at least one electrode overcoated
with nanotubes, such as carbon nanotubes. An alternating electric field
may be employed to reduce the possibility of charged particles being
deposited on opposing electrodes in an electron charging zone defined by
the electrodes. Particles of varying sizes, and of irregular shapes, may
be uniformly charged while required input voltages to the system are
reduced based on efficiencies gained through nanotube technology.