Direct measuring of single–heterogeneous bubble nucleation mediated by surface topology

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2205827119
• Publication Date: 2022-07-12T18:35:24Z
• Authors: Xiaoli Deng; Yun Shan; Xiaohui Meng; Zhaoyang Yu; Xiaoxi Lu; Yunqing Ma; Jiao Zhao; Dong Qiu; Xianren Zhang; Yuwen Liu; Qianjin Chen
• Keywords: Classical nucleation theory

Heterogeneous bubble nucleation is one of the most fundamental interfacial processes ranging from nature to technology. There excellent evidence that surface topology important in directing heterogeneous nucleation; however, deep understanding energetics by which nanoscale architectures promote still challenging. Herein, we report a direct and quantitative measurement single-bubble on single silica nanoparticle within microsized droplet using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy. Local gas concentration at determined finite element simulation corresponding faradaic current peak-featured voltammogram. It demonstrated criteria for first drops then rises with increasing radius. An optimum radius around 10 nm prominently expedites facilitating special topological nanoconfinements consequently catalyze nucleation. Moreover, experimental result corroborated our theoretical calculations free energy change based classic theory. This study offers insights into impact heterogenous have not been previously observed.