Observation of Three-Phase Interface during Hydrogen Electrode Reactions in Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell

The dynamic behavior of the meniscus of a potassium hydroxide and sulfuric acid droplet on a platinum electrode was studied using a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and confocal laser microscopy. The three-phase interface was investigated during the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Contact angle measurements revealed a spreading interface during the HER whereas the droplet shape remained unchanged during the HOR for both droplets. The overhead view revealed the formation of many fine droplets near the meniscus boundary during the HOR in the alkaline electrolyte, which agrees with previous results for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The correlation of these observations with electrochemical data and differences in the results between the HOR and the HER suggest that the motion of the meniscus was induced by local pH and temperature gradients, presumably caused by a non-uniform reaction because of the limitations of the dissolved gas.