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Electrolyte droplet spraying in H2 bubbles during water electrolysis under normal and microgravity conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Aleksandr Bashkatov

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf
    University of Twente
    RWTH Aachen University)

  • Florian Bürkle

    (Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Çayan Demirkır

    (University of Twente)

  • Wei Ding

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf)

  • Vatsal Sanjay

    (University of Twente)

  • Alexander Babich

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf)

  • Xuegeng Yang

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf)

  • Gerd Mutschke

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf)

  • Jürgen Czarske

    (Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Detlef Lohse

    (University of Twente
    Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization)

  • Dominik Krug

    (University of Twente
    RWTH Aachen University)

  • Lars Büttner

    (Technische Universität Dresden)

  • Kerstin Eckert

    (Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf
    Technische Universität Dresden)

Abstract

Electrolytically generated gas bubbles can significantly hamper the overall electrolysis efficiency. Therefore it is crucial to understand their dynamics in order to optimise water electrolyzer systems. Herein, we elucidate a distinct transport mechanism whereby electrolyte droplets are sprayed into H2 bubbles. These droplets arise from the fragmentation of the Worthington jet, which is engendered by the coalescence with microbubbles. The robustness of this phenomenon is corroborated under both normal and microgravity conditions. Reminiscent of bursting bubbles on a liquid-gas interface, electrolyte spraying results in a flow inside the bubble. This flow couples, in an intriguing way, with the thermocapillary convection at the bubble’s surface, clearly underlining the high interfacial mobility. In the case of electrode-attached bubbles, the sprayed droplets form electrolyte puddles affecting the dynamics near the three-phase contact line and favoring bubble detachment from the electrode. The results of this work unravel important insights into the physico-chemical aspects of electrolytic gas bubbles, integral for optimizing gas-evolving electrochemical systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Aleksandr Bashkatov & Florian Bürkle & Çayan Demirkır & Wei Ding & Vatsal Sanjay & Alexander Babich & Xuegeng Yang & Gerd Mutschke & Jürgen Czarske & Detlef Lohse & Dominik Krug & Lars Büttner & Kerst, 2025. "Electrolyte droplet spraying in H2 bubbles during water electrolysis under normal and microgravity conditions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-59762-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59762-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ji San Lee & Byung Mook Weon & Su Ji Park & Jung Ho Je & Kamel Fezzaa & Wah-Keat Lee, 2011. "Size limits the formation of liquid jets during bubble bursting," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 2(1), pages 1-7, September.
    2. Young Soo Joung & Cullen R. Buie, 2015. "Aerosol generation by raindrop impact on soil," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-9, May.
    3. Aaron Hodges & Anh Linh Hoang & George Tsekouras & Klaudia Wagner & Chong-Yong Lee & Gerhard F. Swiegers & Gordon G. Wallace, 2022. "A high-performance capillary-fed electrolysis cell promises more cost-competitive renewable hydrogen," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. Benjamin W. Zeff & Benjamin Kleber & Jay Fineberg & Daniel P. Lathrop, 2000. "Singularity dynamics in curvature collapse and jet eruption on a fluid surface," Nature, Nature, vol. 403(6768), pages 401-404, January.
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