Effect of Alternating Electric Field Modulation on Liquefaction of Chromium Thin Film

Decrypting the thermal effects on the electric field-induced material formation process on Cr thin films

“…The said liquid material formation process has been demonstrated under the effect of both unidirectional and alternating electric fields [14][15][16][17][18]. When using an alternating electric field, the spread of the liquid domain is much more expansive and steadier [16][17][18]. The frequency and other parameters of the applied electric field also play a major role in the process and the most aggressive liquid material formation was observed when a 250 Hz alternating electric field was applied [16][17][18].…”

“…The above-mentioned liquid material formation takes place only in the presence of the applied electric field and stops once the electric field is removed, with the formed material turning into a solid and losing all its liquid components, within a few minutes. The said liquid material formation process has been demonstrated under the effect of both unidirectional and alternating electric fields [14][15][16][17][18]. When using an alternating electric field, the spread of the liquid domain is much more expansive and steadier [16][17][18].…”

“…When using an alternating electric field, the spread of the liquid domain is much more expansive and steadier [16][17][18]. The frequency and other parameters of the applied electric field also play a major role in the process and the most aggressive liquid material formation was observed when a 250 Hz alternating electric field was applied [16][17][18]. With the help of wet chemical tests as well as various material characterization studies, including energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, it was inferred that the liquid region is made of chromium (VI) oxides [13,19].…”

“…The entire phenomenon is composed of several smaller sub-processes that take place before the oxidation reaction [20]: absorption of water molecules into the oxide domain; splitting up of water molecules into constituent ions; transport of the oxyanions to the perimeter of the liquid region to take part in the oxidation reaction. While investigating the effect of the applied alternating electric field modulation, it was revealed that the oxyanion transport process is the major controlling factor in the entire phenomenon [18]. Chromium trioxide being highly soluble in water, helps us to easily remove the formed material by developing the samples in water after the experiments.…”