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Interfacial Tension Modulation of Liquid Metal via Electrochemical Oxidation

This progress report summarizes recent studies of electrochemical oxidation to modulate the interfacial tension of gallium-based alloys. These alloys, which are liquid at ambient conditions, have the largest interfacial tension of any liquid at room temperature. The ability to modulate the tension offers the possibility to create forces that change the shape and position of the metal. It has been known since the late 1800s that electrocapillarity-the use of potential to modulate the electric double layer on the surface of metals in electrolyte-lowers the interfacial tension of liquid metal. Yet, this phenomenon can only achieve modest changes in interfacial tension since it is limited to potential windows that avoid reactions. A recent discovery suggests that reactions driven by the electrochemical oxidation of gallium alloys cause the interfacial tension to decrease from ~500 mN/m at 0 V to ~0 mN/m at ~0.8 V, a change in tension that goes well beyond what is possible via conventional electrocapillarity or surfactants. The changes in tension are reversible; reductive potentials return the metal back to a state of high interfacial tension. This report aims to summarize key work and introduce beginners to this field by including electrochemistry basics while addressing misconceptions. We discuss applications that utilize modulations in interfacial tension of liquid metal and conclude with remaining opportunities and challenges that need further investigation.