Nanobubbles



Gases are important for many chemical reactions. Bubbles are a way for these gases to be held in solution. Nanobubbles are more stable than larger bubbles and they can remain in a solution longer without popping.

The nanobubbles increased stability allows more time for chemical reactions to occur. 

Scientists at Texas A&M University are studying nano bubbles. They have released their study to the Journal of Physical Chemistry.

Samouei is a research assistant professor in the Harold Vance Department of Petroleum Engineering. He reports, "When we inject gas at the industrial scale, we don't want to waste that gas. We want to maximize its use for chemical reactions. That's the main purpose, to keep the gas in solution for a very, very long time, ideally infinite time; to keep the gas in solution without bursting."

Scientists discovered why nanobubbles are so stable. It is based on their electric charges and the interactions between the charges of the bubbles and the solvent. Stability is also effected when additives are placed in the solution. 

Scientists are looking for novel ways to use gas in solution. It does have real world applications, like for hydroponics, waste water treatment and disinfecting. Another technique scientists have worked on is called brine farming. The researchers inject carbon dioxide into saltwater solutions and extract different minerals from the mixture. These minerals can be used in lithium batteries and even magnesium fertilizers.

Semouei summarizes, "For this project, we wanted a way to increase carbon dioxide concentrations, so we used nanobubbles. Now that we have a better understanding of how to increase the lifetime of a nano bubble, they will be a key tool in brine mining practices."

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