Electrocapillary Deformation and Electric Voltage Induced Flow of Liquid Wood Alloy in NaOH Aqueous Solution

抄録

Electrocapillary behaviors for liquid Wood alloy in NaOH aqueous solution by applying external low voltage were investigated. The electrode reaction (redox reaction) induced the formation or removing of oxide film, and further caused the drop deformation by decreasing or increasing of interfacial tension. The same polar charge in the electric double layer would also decrease the interfacial tension. In order to maintain the stability of the system, the contact area of the interface would be expanded, and induced drop deformation macroscopically. When the liquid metal was charged by the chemical reaction in the solution, the electric field force is an effective way to drive it.

Fig. 6 Profiles of pendant drop in NaOH aqueous solution: (a) with no applied voltage; (b) with 8 V and liquid metal as cathode; (c) with 12 V and liquid metal as cathode. Liquid Wood alloy was covered with oxide film as original state in NaOH aqueous solution, when the anode with 5 V voltage was put into liquid alloy, the oxide film was removed. The phenomenon similar to the chemical oscillation can be observed.