Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Nanobubbles at Hydrophobic Surfaces
Vincent S. J. Craig a , Xuehua Zhang b and Jun Hu c , d
a
Department of Applied Mathematics, Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering,
Australian National University
b
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Melbourne,
VIC 3010 Australia
c
Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai China
d
Bioo-X Life Science Research Center, Life Science and Technology College, Shanghai JiaoTong
University, 200030, Shanghai China
Abstract
The very existence of nanobubbles at hydrophobic surfaces is controversial. On theoretical grounds such
bubbles should be short-lived, dissolving under their own internal pressure. Further, a number of highly
surface sensitive experiments have reported results inconsistent with the presence of nanobubbles, yet other
researchers observe nanobubbles, most notably using Atomic Force Microscopy. Here I attempt to reconcile
these results, describe the unusual properties of nanobubbles and the compelling evidence for their exis-
tence as well as describe some new surprising nanobubble forms. Finally, applications for nanobubbles are
explored.
Contents
A. Introduction ...............................................
159
B. Early Evidence for Nanobubbles ....................................
160
C. Confirmation of the Existence of Nanobubbles ............................
161
D. Nanobubble Characteristics
. . ....................................
163
E. How to Produce Nanobubbles
. ....................................
167
F. Why Were Thought not to Exist ....................................
168
G. The Stability of Nanobubbles
. ....................................
170
H. Uses for Nanobubbles
.........................................
171
I.Conclusion ...............................................
171
J.References................................................
172
A. Introduction
Nanobubbles are tiny gas pockets that are known to be present under some condi-
tions on hydrophobic surfaces. Their very existence is somewhat surprising as it is
generally thought that small bubbles are unstable. Small bubbles are characterized
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