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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
06:32
A Simple, Low-cost, and Robust System to Measure the Volume of Hydrogen Evolved by Chemical Reactions with Aqueous Solutions
Published on: August 17, 2016
Mechanistic Insights into LSPR-Activated Bubble Detachment in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Wenlu Xie1, Yanwei Zhang1, Yi Liu1
1State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|June 13, 2026
Summary
Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) significantly boosts hydrogen production efficiency by enhancing catalytic activity and mass transfer. This study shows LSPR reduces bubble detachment time and increases hydrogen generation rates.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is recognized for enhancing catalytic performance in hydrogen production.
- However, its impact on mass transfer dynamics, particularly bubble formation kinetics, remains under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of LSPR on the kinetics of hydrogen bubble formation during the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on a microelectrode.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which LSPR affects mass transfer and overall reaction efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Utilized microelectrode setups to study the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) under localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excitation.
- Employed gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to induce LSPR and analyzed hydrogen bubble formation and detachment dynamics.
- Varied light intensity to observe its effect on reaction kinetics and mass transfer.
Main Results:
- Observed a drastic decrease in bubble growth-to-detachment time from 60 seconds to 0.9 seconds.
- Achieved a two-orders-of-magnitude increase in the hydrogen generation rate.
- Demonstrated that LSPR induces thermal Marangoni flow, generating a detachment force that enhances mass transport and reaction efficiency.
Conclusions:
- LSPR plays a multifaceted role in electrochemical hydrogen production, improving both catalytic activity and mass transfer.
- The findings have significant implications for advancing LSPR-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) catalysis, electrochemical water splitting, and CO2 reduction technologies.
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