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Title: Jumping liquid metal droplet in electrolyte triggered by solid metal particles

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4953157· OSTI ID:22590743
 [1]; ; ;  [1]
  1. Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190 (China)

We report the electron discharge effect due to point contact between liquid metal and solid metal particles in electrolyte. Adding nickel particles induces drastic hydrogen generating and intermittent jumping of a sub-millimeter EGaIn droplet in NaOH solution. Observations from different orientations disclose that such jumping behavior is triggered by pressurized bubbles under the assistance of interfacial interactions. Hydrogen evolution around particles provides clear evidence that such electric instability originates from the varied electric potential and morphology between the two metallic materials. The point-contact-induced charge concentration significantly enhances the near-surface electric field intensity at the particle tips and thus causes electric breakdown of the electrolyte.

OSTI ID:
22590743
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 108, Issue 22; Other Information: (c) 2016 Author(s); Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English