Volume 21, Issue 3 2406363
Research Article

Disintegration of Thin Liquid Metal Films Engendered by Aluminum Corrosion

Wangyan Wu

Wangyan Wu

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201804 China

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Guangyu Chai

Guangyu Chai

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201804 China

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Wei Luo

Corresponding Author

Wei Luo

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 201804 China

E-mail: [email protected]

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First published: 17 November 2024
Citations: 1

Abstract

Liquid metals (LMs) illustrate a fantastic future. Thus, great endeavors are made to earn a comprehensive understanding of this fluid and carve it into a niche. Herein, by revisiting the combination of Ga-based LMs and aluminum (Al), a new phenomenon, namely the disintegration of LM films on encountering water, is identified. Deviating from previous investigations where the LM generally took the form of bulk puddles, the LM-Al slurry is spread as thin films here. In this case, Al debris embedded in the LM matrix hydrolyzes and therefore can exert disjoining pressure strong enough to split the thin film into countless tiny LM droplets. Based on this mechanism, transient circuits independent of substrate decomposition are realized. Furthermore, taking advantage of the portfolio strategy of pure LM and the LM-Al slurry, novel concepts of flood warning and information storage and encryption are demonstrated. Integrating these functions all in one demonstrates the versatility of the disintegration of thin LM films engendered by Al corrosion, which provides a scientific insight into ephemeral art and makes the Ga─Al combination more illuminating.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available in the supplementary material of this article.

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