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Marangoni convection at electrogenerated hydrogen bubbles.
Xuegeng Yang1, Dominik Baczyzmalski, Christian Cierpka
1Institute of Fluid Dynamics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), 01314 Dresden, Germany. kerstin.eckert@hzdr.de.
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|April 14, 2018
Summary
This study provides the first evidence of Marangoni convection near growing hydrogen bubbles during water electrolysis. The Marangoni effect, driven by surface tension gradients, enhances mass transfer and correlates with electric current magnitude.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Fluid Dynamics
- Surface Science
Background:
- Electrolytic gas evolution is crucial for industrial processes, involving gas bubble formation.
- Gas bubbles can alter local surface tension due to concentration or temperature gradients.
- These gradients induce Marangoni convection, influencing mass transfer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide the first experimental evidence of Marangoni convection near growing hydrogen bubbles.
- To investigate the influence of Marangoni convection on electrolytic gas evolution.
- To correlate Marangoni convection with electric current in water electrolysis.
Main Methods:
- Microscopic high-speed imaging of single hydrogen bubble evolution at a microelectrode.
- Time-resolved Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) to measure interfacial convection.
- Controlled water electrolysis experiments.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated Marangoni convection near growing hydrogen bubbles.
- Observed a direct correlation between Marangoni convection magnitude and electric current.
- Indicated Marangoni convection's potential to enhance mass transfer in electrolysis.
Conclusions:
- Marangoni convection is a significant phenomenon in hydrogen evolution via water electrolysis.
- The magnitude of this convection is directly influenced by the applied electric current.
- Understanding Marangoni convection can optimize electrolytic processes for enhanced mass transfer.
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