Curved Nanoelectrodes Trigger Bubble Detachment and Enhance Gas Evolution Efficiency

Nanobubble formation and pinning on nanoelectrodes significantly hinder the efficiency of gas evolution reactions, limiting the potential of hydrogen production technologies. This work uncovers the pivotal role of nanoelectrode curvature in influencing catalytic performance and nanobubble detachment. Using molecular dynamics simulations supported by experimental evidence, we establish that convex nanoelectrodes, such as those of hemispherical and spherical geometries, sustain higher catalytic performance by maintaining greater reactive surface exposure than flat or concave electrodes. Most importantly, we demonstrate that convex electrodes mitigate bubble pinning by promoting unlimited growth and spontaneous detachment. Surprisingly, our calculations reveal that bubble detachment contributes minimally to the overall current. Our findings provide a mechanistic framework for optimizing electrode geometry to enhance gas evolution efficiency, emphasizing the role of convex nanoparticles in maximizing surface exposure rather than relying primarily on bubble detachment dynamics to improve gas production rates.