Thierry Belmonte

Jeudi 26 septembre à 14h30 - Electric discharges in liquids: from the physics of breakdown to the synthesis of nanomaterials

Thierry Belmonte

Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IJL, F-54000 Nancy
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Abstract  :

The mechanisms responsible for creating and developing discharges in liquids constitute an area of intense study. It is notable how certain conclusions drawn from research in this field can be contentious, primarily due to the lack of precise information about these media. Understanding them necessitates accessing spatial scales on the order of a nanometer and temporal scales of less than a nanosecond. Furthermore, cathodic and anodic discharges exhibit distinct characteristics closely tied to the mechanism of charge injection into the medium. While these phenomena are statistically reproducible, their occurrence is stochastic, rendering their analysis particularly intricate.

Despite these challenges, significant strides have been made in both the physics of discharges and their practical applications. These applications range from converting surfaces of valve metal alloys into oxides, to electro-erosion, and the synthesis of nanomaterials. Recent advancements in the latter domain have elucidated new mechanisms for the formation of nano-objects, stemming from either electrode erosion or the transformation of precursors deliberately introduced within the liquid. These methodologies facilitate the design of 2D objects, emerging materials, and novel non-equilibrium alloys. Notably, we will see how new strategies, leveraging artificial intelligence, are enabling the creation of compound libraries synthesized on demand, using processes of this nature, to address the imperative of replacing critical materials with alternatives derived from more abundant elements.

Contact : Valérie Brien (PCM)