A review of recent theoretical and computational studies on pinned surface nanobubbles

TL;DR

This review summarizes recent theoretical and computational research explaining the stability of surface nanobubbles through contact line pinning and oversaturation, addressing the longstanding puzzle of their unexpectedly long lifetimes.

Contribution

It consolidates recent studies on the mechanisms behind nanobubble stability, emphasizing the role of contact line pinning and oversaturation, providing a comprehensive overview of current understanding.

Findings

Pinning of contact line contributes to nanobubble stability

Oversaturation levels influence nanobubble longevity

Theoretical models explain long-lived nanobubbles

Abstract

The findings of long-lived surface nanobubbles in various experiments brought a puzzle in theory, as they were supposed to be dissolved in microseconds due to the high Laplace pressure. However, an increasing number of studies suggest that the pinning of contact line, together with certain levels of oversaturation, is responsible for the anomalous stability of surface nanobubble. This mechanism can interpret most characteristics of surface nanobubbles. Here we summarize recent theoretical and computational work to explain how the surface nanobubbles become stable with the pinning of contact line. Other related work devoted to understand the unusual behaviors of pinned surface nanobubbles are also reviewed here.