Study on TBAB hydrate nucleating activity of electrode products due to DC voltage application

•The effect of electrode products on the nucleation of TBAB hydrate was investigated.•The electrode products were obtained by applying a DC voltage to electrodes.•Six kinds of materials were used as electrodes for generation of the products.•Zn, Cu and Ag electrode products have a high nucleating activity for TBAB hydrate. The effect of the products obtained by applying a direct current (DC) voltage to electrodes on the nucleation of tetra-n‑butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) hydrate was investigated experimentally. Six kinds of materials were used as electrodes and the products were generated by applying a DC voltage to the electrodes in a TBAB aqueous solution at a normal temperature. The nucleating activities of the products were estimated by measuring the freezing probability of the TBAB aqueous solution containing the products. High probabilities of freezing were obtained for the Zn, Cu, and Ag electrodes. Moreover, the insoluble products were separated from the TBAB solution after a DC voltage was applied to the Zu, Cu, and Ag electrodes. The products were placed in a clear TBAB aqueous solution and the freezing probability of the TBAB solution was measured. The products had a high nucleating activity for TBAB hydrate.