Convection of charged particles in oil subject to DC bias

[amicus_tobias]

Hi all,

I have recently observed a very strange thing (or rather, I shall say unexpected phenomenon). When I deposited some charged micro-particles between 2 electrodes (vertical plates) with a DC bias in hexadecane oil, I expected the negatively charged particles to go to the positive electrode. But somehow the particles started a convective motion between 2 electrode. Can someone shed some light into this for me? Thank you all.

Toby

 

[Drakkith]

Whew, don't think i can answer that one. Until you get an answer, i would double check and make sure your experiment is set up correctly and nothing is interfering.

 

[mrspeedybob]

Hi all,

I have recently observed a very strange thing (or rather, I shall say unexpected phenomenon). When I deposited some charged micro-particles between 2 electrodes (vertical plates) with a DC bias in hexadecane oil, I expected the negatively charged particles to go to the positive electrode. But somehow the particles started a convective motion between 2 electrode. Can someone shed some light into this for me? Thank you all.

Toby

What is insulating them from the positive electrode? Is it possible that you have some conductance so that when they get close to the positive electrode they pick up a positive charge and so reverse course for the negative electrode, where the same thing happens in reverse.