Surface Cleaning of Oil Contaminants Using Bulk Nanobubbles

Area of Science:

• Surface Science
• Colloid and Surface Chemistry
• Environmental Technology

Background:

• Oil removal from solid surfaces is challenging due to strong oil-surface adhesion.
• Conventional cleaning methods often rely on surfactants and mechanical abrasion, which can harm the environment and materials.
• There is a need for effective, eco-friendly alternatives for oil contaminant removal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of bulk nanobubble water in removing oil microdroplets from diverse surfaces.
• To compare the cleaning performance of nanobubble water with conventional solutions.
• To assess the potential of nanobubble technology for practical, large-scale oil removal applications.

Main Methods:

• Microscopy imaging and image analysis were employed to observe and quantify oil droplet detachment.
• Experiments were conducted using bulk nanobubble water and a control solution without nanobubbles.
• Oil removal was tested on various surfaces including glass coverslips, dishes, and a porcelain bowl, in microchannels and simulated dishwasher/washing machine conditions.

Main Results:

• Bulk nanobubble water successfully detached oil microdroplets from both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces.
• Significant oil removal was observed on glass and porcelain surfaces, outperforming the control solution.
• Effective oil cleaning was demonstrated in microfluidic channels and under conditions mimicking domestic washing appliances.

Conclusions:

• Bulk nanobubble water provides an effective, surfactant-free method for removing oil contaminants from various surfaces.
• Nanobubble technology presents an innovative, low-cost, and environmentally friendly approach to oil removal.
• The findings highlight the broad practical applicability of nanobubble technology in cleaning and decontamination processes.