Superhydrophobicity-mediated electrochemical reaction along the solid-liquid-gas triphase interface: edge-growth of gold architectures

Abstract

A superhydrophobic pillar-structured electrode leads to uncommon electrochemical behavior. The anti-wetting reaction surface restricts the contact between electrolyte and electrode to the pillar tops, as a result of trapped air pockets in the gaps between pillars. The electrochemical reaction occurs mainly at the solid/liquid/gas triphase interface, instead of the traditional solid/liquid diphase surface, yielding unique edge-growth structures - for example gold microflowers - on the top of each pillar.

Keywords: electrochemistry; gold; micropillars; superhydrophobicity.