Dual-Mode Imaging of Dynamic Interaction between Bubbles and Single Nanoplates during the Electrocatalytic Hydrogen...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Surface Science

Background:

• Gas bubble formation at electrochemical interfaces impacts electrocatalyst efficiency and durability.
• Understanding bubble evolution dynamics and their interaction with structured electrocatalysts is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a dual-mode microscopy technique for simultaneous observation of bubble evolution and electrocatalyst 3D motion.
• To provide high-resolution spatiotemporal information on multiphase electrochemical interactions.

Main Methods:

• Dual-mode interference/total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy.
• Observation of hydrogen bubble generation and interaction with single nanoplate electrocatalysts during the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Main Results:

• Bubbles transition from fast-moving nanobubbles to stationary microbubbles under constant potential.
• Electrocatalyst morphology influences nanobubble trajectories.
• Pinned microbubbles induce electrocatalyst motion.

Conclusions:

• The dual-mode microscopy offers high spatiotemporal resolution for studying multiphase electrochemical interactions.
• This technique can aid in the rational design of high-performance electrocatalysts.