Scientists Observe Hydrogen and Oxygen Combining to Form Nano-Bubbles for the First Time

TapTechNews October 3rd, according to a blog post by the tech media newatlas yesterday (October 2nd), scientists have observed for the first time in real time at the molecular scale the combination of hydrogen and oxygen atoms to form tiny nano-bubbles.

The chemical equation of hydrogen (H₂) reacting with oxygen (O₂) to form water (H₂O) helps us better understand the process of water formation and the basic principles of chemical reactions.

A research team from Northwestern University has developed a new technology that uses the rare element palladium (known as a good catalyst for converting gaseous hydrogen and oxygen to water) to observe the above chemical equation with precise molecular details.

The research team placed a palladium sample in a honeycomb-shaped nano-reactor, which was wrapped in an ultrathin glass membrane. Then, the gas was introduced. The whole process was observed through a high-vacuum transmission electron microscope.

The team was able to see hydrogen atoms enter the palladium, causing the metal to expand and tiny bubbles begin to form on the surface of the palladium.

The lead author of this study, Yukun Liu, said: We think this may be the smallest bubble ever directly observed.

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