A new study published by a collaborative group of researchers at the Australian National University in Canberra, the University of Melbourne, and Revalesio explored the mechanisms behind the stability of nanobubbles on surfaces. The results of the study demonstrate that these very small bubbles are not impermeable, but instead engage in a gas exchange with their environment. Nevertheless, these bubbles can be stable for hours. This work adds to existing knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the formation of nanobubbles and their unexpectedly long stability. Understanding and gaining control of nanobubble dynamics is critical for technological applications involving nanobubbles.

Link to the paper: Interfacial Nanobubbles Are Leaky: Permeability of the Gas/Water Interface | ACS Nano