Micro/nano Bubble; Fundamental Properties and Application in Surface Cleaning

Abstract

We are now realizing fantastic properties of tiny bubbles; microbubble can contribute to wastewater treatment and semiconductor cleaning, and nanobubbles activate fishes and plants. Microbubbles are gas bubbles less than 50 micrometer in diameter and shrink underwater due to the rapid dissolution of the interior gas. And it has been demonstrated that the bubbles can generate free radicals during the collapsing process under water. This is a very effective property of the tiny bubbles for surface cleaning in a wide variety of technical fields, including semiconductor manufacturing and textile industries. And we are also recognizing fantastic properties of nanobubbles. Nanobubbles may be defined as microbubble residues stabilized by the effect of condensed ionic cloud around the gas-water interface at the final stage of the collapsing process. In this article the author also introduces an example of cleaning by nanobubbles. In the cutting and polishing industry they are now trying to use a new type of cutting fluid containing nanobubble water, and it has turned out that the cutting machines was cleaned by the effect of scattered cutting fluid. For further development as a new cleaning technology, it is necessary to clarify the functional mechanism of nanobubble water.