The use of acoustoelectrochemistry to investigate rectified diffusion

This paper describes the approach to bubble related phenomena using a novel 'acoustoelectrochemical' technique designed to investigate the physical and chemical effects of the acoustically induced motion of the bubble wall. In particular it describes the behaviour of a suspended gas bubble irradiated with sound of an appropriate frequency and pressure to induce bubble wall oscillation. The first electrochemical measurement of the growth of a bubble through rectified diffusion is demonstrated. The technique employed relies on the sensitivity of a scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) deployed close to the gas/liquid interface of a bubble. The growth rate of the bubble (<0.1 microms(-1)) is reported. It will be also demonstrated that gas exchange across the phase boundary at the bubble wall, can be successfully probed when the bubble is stationary.