Dynamics Of Single H2 Bubbles During Water Electrolysis

The dynamics of hydrogen gas bubbles growing during electrolysis in H 2 SO 4 on a Pt microelectrode are studied in detail by electrochemical, shadowgraphy and PIV methods. The bubble evolution under potentiostatic conditions is presented in terms of electric current, images and radius of the growing bubble, and the velocity profiles. It allowed to resolve the carpet of microbubbles underneath the growing bubble, the transition to a new oscillatory growth regime and a Marangoni convection around the bubble foot. To substantiate the effect of coalescence and of the electrostatic effect on the bubble departure diameter, a salt (sodium sulfate) was added to regulate the pH and the ionic strength of the electrolyte