Effect of electrolytes and surfactants on generation and longevity of carbon dioxide nanobubbles

Abstract The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of individual additions of mono- and divalent electrolytes (NaCl and CaCl2), anionic (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) and non-ionic surfactants (polysorbate 80, Tween 80) at varied concentrations on the generation and stability of bulk nanobubbles (NBs) from carbon dioxide (CO2) gas in aqueous system. Overall, NBs generated in the small-amount salt fluids exhibited significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower size range (150–350 nm). Smaller diameter and higher zeta potential magnitudes (18–24 mV) of the NBs in SDS medium were also observed and related to the higher CO2 concentration (~1850 ppm) and lower surface tension (~64 mN/m) of the solution. However, the gas NBs were disappeared with the incorporation of Tween 80. The outcomes provide some more research-based details about the impact of potential nano-bubble stabilising agents on characteristics of NBs contributing to the green and sustainable NB-related applications in food sectors.