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Voltage-induced penetration effect in liquid metals at room temperature
Frank F Yun1, Zhenwei Yu1, Yahua He1
1Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, Australian Institute for Innovative Materials, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia.
National Science Review
|October 25, 2021
Summary
Applying voltage allows room-temperature liquid metal to penetrate porous materials. This voltage-induced low surface tension enables liquid metal superwetting, opening new microfluidic possibilities.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Fluid Dynamics
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Room-temperature liquid metals exhibit unique properties.
- Controlling liquid metal behavior in porous media is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the voltage-induced penetration of liquid metals into porous materials.
- To elucidate the mechanism behind this phenomenon.
Main Methods:
- Applying voltage to liquid metal in contact with various porous materials (paper, sponges, fabrics, meshes).
- Observing and analyzing the penetration effects.
- Investigating the role of surface tension reduction via voltage-induced oxidation.
Main Results:
- Liquid metal successfully penetrated macro- and microporous materials under applied voltage.
- Penetration was observed in diverse materials like tissue paper, sponges, fabrics, and meshes.
- Voltage significantly reduced liquid metal surface tension, leading to superwetting and penetration.
Conclusions:
- Voltage-induced surface tension reduction is key to liquid metal penetration in porous materials.
- This phenomenon offers novel applications in microfluidics.
- Further exploration of exotic liquid metal fluid states is warranted.
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