Release of Gas Supersaturation from Liquids by Solid Surfaces

JSGT 1948 V32 T281-T290

A method has been developed for studying the forces acting between a liquid and a solid. It is based on the release of gas bubbles from supersaturated liquids by solid surfaces. For this purpose the material to be examined is immersed in water saturated with carbon dioxide at room temperature and atmospheric pressure and then connected with a vacuum system. Decreasing the pressure over the liquid brings about a .state of supersaturation. Nevertheless, no gas bubbles will form if the carbonated water is kept in a clean glass container. Also, bringing a degassed and thoroughly wet glass powder into such a liquid will not produce bubbles if the glass is free of heavy-metal ions. If the glass contains copper or lead oxide, however, its surface enhances gas nucleation. The same can be accomplished by treating a soda–lime–silica glass with a dilute solution of a heavy-metal compound such as lead acetate.

Evelyn C. Marboe & W. A. Weyl