Factors affecting the formation of plasma on Fe, Cu and W electrodes using an electrochemical reaction in an aqueous environment with high-voltage DC

Abstract

Plasma creation technology in an aqueous environment is being evaluated for research and practical applications, particularly in the field of materials and nano processing, as well as environmental pollution treatment. Important factors that influence the appearance of plasma when performing electrolysis by high-voltage DC (direct current) in aqueous environments are voltage, distance between electrodes, pH, conductivity and ambient temperature, as well as the nature of the electrode, which has been suggested by concurrent works to be the controlling factor of the other ones. Specifically, it is indicated that the plasma typically appears at a high voltage of about 15 kV and a distance between electrodes of 200 mm, with the earliest appearance occurring with the tungsten (W) electrode. Additionally, pH, conductivity and temperature variations for effective plasma creation have been found in all investigated electrodes. Finally, it has been found that the water-soluble plasma on the W electrode produces more gas than those in iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) electrodes. After the reactions, the lowest dissolution belonging to W electrode could be attributed to the inertness of W in comparison with Fe and Cu, resulting in a minimal value of the zeta potential. In addition, the size of Cu and Fe nanoparticles achieved in the investigated solution was approximately 200 nm, whereas W nanoparticles were two separate sizes of 100 and 500 nm. Therefore, this work could offer the needed agency for technological applications in industrial wastewater treatment and high-purity nanoparticle fabrication.