Origin of contact glow discharge electrolysis in aqueous solution : Effects of electrolyte temperature and surface tension

Abstract

The effects of electrolyte temperature and surface tension on the breakdown of normal electrolysis and its transition to contact glow discharge electrolysis (CGDE) in aqueous solutions have been studied. It is found that local vaporisation of the solvent close to an electrode by Joule heating and the breaking up of vapour- liquid boundary surfaces in the contiguous streams of vapour bubbles are the prime causes for gaseous,sheathing of the electrode and the breakdown of normal electrolysis vis-a-vis its transition to CGDE.