How bulk nanobubbles respond to elevated external pressures

Abstract

Bulk nanobubbles, nanoscopic gaseous domains in aqueous solutions, exhibit surprising long-term stability and unique properties under varying environmental conditions. This study investigates the effects of external pressure on nanobubble stability and behavior through three experimental setups: pressurization at room temperature, pressurization at elevated temperatures, and constant pressure loading. Our findings reveal that increasing external pressure reduces nanobubble concentration and reshapes the bubble size distribution. Larger nanobubbles either disappeared or transformed into microbubbles, while smaller ones expanded, significantly narrowing the size distribution. These changes were found to be irreversible. Additionally, nanobubble stability is influenced by both the magnitude and duration of the applied pressure. Elevated temperatures further narrowed the size distribution at atmospheric pressure, and subsequent pressurization caused these nanobubbles to shrink, showing different response characteristics compared to room temperature. This research highlights the complex interplay between pressure, temperature, and nanobubble stability, offering valuable insight for practical applications in fields such as drug delivery, water treatment, and nanomaterial synthesis.