Fabrication of micro/nanobubble generator by using vertically aligned carbon nanotubes

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26286024
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Partial Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Nanomaterials engineering
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Hirahara Kaori 大阪大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 准教授 (40422795)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: マイクロバブル / ナノバブル / カーボンナノチューブ / サイズ制御 / マイクロ・ナノデバイス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A new device to electrochemically generate micro/nanobubbles has been developed with utilizing vertical aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as the electrode. CNT-resin composite film electrode with unique surface, where CNT tips slightly protruded from the resin, was fubricated. This electrode revealed the controlled generation of isolated nanobubbles at specific address by water electrolysis, which will be an invaluable tool for investigating detailed fundamental information regarding the size-derived characteristics of nanobubbles. Actually, growth and shrinking of single nanobubble was investigated by atomic force microscopy, which enabled to visualize realtime pinning-depinning process of contact line and obtain experimental values of size-dependent pinning force. In addition, patterning of CNTs by photolithography technique was used for controlled generation of microbubbles. Cavity-patterned CNTs successfully generated and trap uniform-sized microbubbles in individual cavities.

Free Research Field

ナノ材料科学