PROPOSED PHOTOENHANCED ELECTROLYSIS BY EVANESCENT EXCITATION. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The bond breaking steps in electrolysis are driven by the strong dc fields falling across the several angstrom thick double layer in proximity to the electrodes. Laser radiation can be efficiently coupled to this region by an evanescent field through a thin electrode. Laser-induced excitation of the vibrational modes of water molecules or hydronium ions stretched across the double layer may substantially affect the rate at which electrolysis proceeds. This configuration raises possibilities of enhanced isotope selectivity, efficient conversion of infrared laser energy to hydrogen, and further understanding of electrode dynamics.

published proceedings

  • Prog Astronaut Aeronaut

author list (cited authors)

  • Miles, R. B., Gelfand, J. J., & Royce, B.

complete list of authors

  • Miles, RB||Gelfand, JJ||Royce, BSH

publication date

  • January 1978