Surface Bubble Nucleation Stability

James R. T. Seddon, E. Stefan Kooij, Bene Poelsema, Harold J. W. Zandvliet, and Detlef Lohse
Phys. Rev. Lett. 106, 056101 – Published 2 February 2011

Abstract

Recent research has revealed several different techniques for nanoscopic gas nucleation on submerged surfaces, with findings seemingly in contradiction with each other. In response to this, we have systematically investigated the occurrence of surface nanobubbles on a hydrophobized silicon substrate for various different liquid temperatures and gas concentrations, which we controlled independently. We found that nanobubbles occupy a distinct region of this parameter space, occurring for gas concentrations of approximately 100%–110%. Below the nanobubble region we did not detect any gaseous formations on the substrate, whereas micropancakes (micron wide, nanometer high gaseous domains) were found at higher temperatures and gas concentrations. We moreover find that supersaturation of dissolved gases is not a requirement for nucleation of bubbles.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 26 October 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.056101

© 2011 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

James R. T. Seddon1,*, E. Stefan Kooij2, Bene Poelsema2, Harold J. W. Zandvliet2, and Detlef Lohse1

  • 1Physics of Fluids, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands
  • 2Solid State Physics, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands

  • *j.r.t.seddon@utwente.nl

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 106, Iss. 5 — 4 February 2011

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×