H 2 bubble motion reversals during water electrolysis

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

The dynamics of hydrogen bubbles produced by water electrolysis in an acidic electrolyte is studied using electrochemical and optical methods. A defined cyclic modulation of the electric potential is applied at a microelectrode to produce pairs of interacting H bubbles in a controlled manner. Three scenarios of interactions are identified and studied systematically. The most prominent one consists of a sudden reversal in the motion of the first detached bubble, its return to the electrode, and finally its coalescence with the second bubble. Attested by Toepler's schlieren technique, an explanation of contactless motion reversal is provided by the competition between buoyancy and thermocapillary effects.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numberA43
JournalJournal of fluid mechanics
Volume958
Publication statusPublished - 10 Mar 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • bubble dynamics, thermocapillarity

Library keywords