Surface nanobubbles and surface nanodroplets: Theory and numerics for dynamics and collective effects
Research | Nanobubbles | Project
Appointed for the project
Ivan Devic
University of Twente
University of Twente
In heterogeneous catalysis, gas bubbles often form at the catalyst, blocking its efficiency. In their smallest known form the bubbles come as so-called surface nanobubbles. These are only a few femtoliters in volume and can stay at the interface as long as several hours or even days. The formation of surface nanobubbles can not only occur through (catalytic) chemical reactions, but also through electrolysis or when the interface experiences gas super-saturation by the change of the solvent, or of the temperature, or by pressure reduction.
Very similar to surface nanobubbles are surface nanodroplets that are liquid nanoscale domains on the solid surface in contact with an immiscible bulk liquid. Also these are relevant in catalytic reactions that produce an oil phase in an aqueous environment or vice verse.
In this project we want to better understand the properties and dynamics of surface nanobubbles and surface nanodroplets with the help of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and through developing a theoretical framework which is able to capture both the dynamics of single surface nanobubbles and nanodroplets and their collective dynamics (Ostwald ripening).
This project is the theoretical and numerical counterpart to the experimental project “Surface nanobubbles and surface nanodroplets”.
Project leader: Prof. Detlef Lohse
