ELECTROLYSIS OF WATER AT HIGH-ELECTRIC-FIELD INTENSITIES - THE FOUNTAIN EFFECTS

The evolution of oxygen and hydrogen bubbles is investigated during el ectrolysis of acidic, neutral, and basic solutions in the concentratio n range 0.001 to I N at voltages ranging from 20 to 700 V. It is shown that, at these voltages, a nongravitational motion of the bubbles occ urs in the normal direction to the vertical electrode's surface (fount ain effects). The train of gas bubbles may move away from the electrod e (straight fountain) or behind the electrode (reverse fountain). Chan ging the electrolysis conditions may change the fountain's direction. In the paper, the factors are discussed that influence the direction i n which the gas trains move.