Micro-Nanobubble Technology in Surface Cleaning and Defouling

Abstract

The physicochemical characteristics of micro- and nanobubbles (MNBs) have attracted considerable interest owing to their potential use in various industries, such as water treatment, agriculture, healthcare, and environmental remediation. This review focuses on the functions of MBs and, mainly, NBs in cleaning and defouling applications by thoroughly examining the mechanics of their stability, generation, and interaction with surfaces. Wastewater treatment, biofilm removal, and membrane fouling avoidance are cutting-edge techniques that use MNBs to improve cleaning effectiveness. Notably, this review highlights that microbubbles and nanobubbles can be used together synergistically or applied separately based on specific application needs. This review emphasizes how MNB technology can be integrated with other systems, such as bioremediation and sophisticated oxidation processes, to address challenging cleaning issues. The capacity of MNBs to lower operating costs; their impact on the environment; and their synergistic effects with chemical, biological, and physical agents are highlighted. To maximize the use of MNBs in environmentally friendly cleaning technologies, this review offers insights into the new horizons of MB and NB applications by synthesizing recent discoveries and suggesting directions for further studies and industrial-scale deployment.