Bubble-assisted microstreaming during electrode deposition of Mn2O3 energy harvesters

Abstract

The deposition of energy-harvesting Mn₂O₃ onto the “Cu” electrode is reported using pulsed laser ablation at the manganese–water interface. Conventionally, laser-induced plasma deposition is carried out by orthogonally placing the substrate (electrodes) in the plasma expansion. Here, underwater material deposition is observed on electrodes placed parallel to the plasma expansion. The possible role played by the fluid dynamically assisted microbubbles in transporting the materials onto electrodes is investigated here. To verify the influence of microbubbles, external electric fields are employed, and implications for the electrodes are characterized. The studies reveal that the external field intensifies the flow of the microbubbles towards the walls, which assists in the deposition of Mn₂O₃ on the electrodes.