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.