Dynamics of single hydrogen bubbles at Pt microelectrodes in microgravity

Abstract

The dynamics of single hydrogen bubbles electrogenerated in acidic electrolytes at a Pt microelectrode under potentiostatic conditions is investigated in microgravity during parabolic flights. Three bubble evolution scenarios have been identified depending on the electric potential applied and the acid concentration. The dominant scenario, characterized by lateral detachment of the grown bubble, is studied in detail. For that purpose, the evolution of the bubble radius, electric current and bubble trajectories, as well as the bubble lifetime are comprehensively addressed for different potentials and electrolyte concentrations. We focus particularly on analyzing bubble–bubble coalescence events which are responsible for reversals of the direction of bubble motion. Finally, as parabolic flights also permit hypergravity conditions, a detailed comparison of the characteristic bubble phenomena at various levels of gravity is drawn.