Ozone micro- and nanobubbles have emerged as cutting-edge tools reshaping how disinfection and environmental applications are approached, particularly in water treatment and agriculture. Ozone (O3) has long been valued for its potent oxidative properties, yet its practical utility faced persistent hurdles—chief among them, its poor solubility, rapid decomposition, and unstable nature in aqueous environments. By harnessing microbubbles (<100 μm) and nanobubbles (<1 μm), researchers and industries alike are achieving new milestones in ozone application. These tiny gas bubbles uniquely improve ozone’s stability, reactivity, and mass transfer characteristics, unlocking heightened efficacy in sterilization, pollution remediation, food safety, and beyond.
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The foremost advantage of ozone micro- and nanobubbles lies in their enhanced ability to maintain and deliver elevated dissolved ozone concentrations in water. Conventional ozone injection systems frequently struggle with low ozone solubility and the fast breakdown of ozone molecules, which sharply curtail disinfection power and process efficiency. However, microbubble-mediated ozonation can bolster dissolved ozone levels up to 4 mg/L, significantly surpassing the 2.49 mg/L ceiling typically achieved by traditional methods. This surge is underpinned by faster dissolution velocities—1.5 to 2.7 times quicker in various fluids like pure water, tap water, and phosphate-buffered saline. This faster dissolution means ozone saturates water more effectively, intensifying oxidative disinfection and extending ozone’s functional lifespan. Nanobubbles, with their remarkable stability, can persist suspended for hours or even days without collapsing, ensuring longer-lasting antimicrobial action.
In addition to prolonging ozone availability, micro- and nanobubbles dramatically amplify ozone’s oxidative impact by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) during ozonation. These reactive molecules, especially hydroxyl radicals (•OH), deliver lethal assaults on pathogens by compromising membrane integrity, disrupting intracellular transport, and halting microbial reproduction cycles. Such mechanisms empower ozone nanobubbles to inactivate a broad spectrum of harmful microorganisms—from bacteria and fungi to viruses—which often resist conventional sterilization means. For example, ozonated nanobubbles have proven highly effective against periodontopathogenic bacteria and fish pathogens in aquaculture, highlighting their potential as chemical-free, low-toxicity sterilization alternatives. Food safety applications also benefit, where dipping produce such as broccoli and tomatoes into ozone nanobubble water (ONBW) significantly reduces microbial contamination, prolonging shelf life while preserving texture and nutritional qualities through oxidative preservation rather than chemical additives.
Beyond disinfection, the utility of micro- and nanobubbles extends into agricultural productivity enhancement and aquaculture health management. Carbon dioxide (CO2) nanobubbles incorporated into irrigation systems boost nutrient uptake and oxygen delivery to plant root zones, accelerating growth rates and improving crop yields. This bio-stimulatory effect offers an eco-friendly boost that aligns with sustainable farming objectives. Similarly, oxygen nanobubbles maintain high dissolved oxygen levels crucial for the welfare of aquatic species, simultaneously lowering infection rates by oxidatively neutralizing pathogens. These technologies not only reduce reliance on harmful agrochemicals and antibiotics but also improve the resilience and vitality of both plants and aquatic organisms, showcasing a sustainable path forward in food production systems.
Wastewater treatment stands as another frontier where ozone micro- and nanobubble technology offers transformative advantages. Traditional ozonation can be hampered by insufficient contact time and incomplete oxidation of recalcitrant pollutants. Microbubble-enhanced ozonation surmounts these limitations by increasing ozone solubility and expanding the gas–liquid interface area, which collectively improve oxidation kinetics and pollutant degradation. This results in more effective breakdown of colored, toxic, and poorly biodegradable organic matter even under challenging conditions such as high salinity or complex industrial effluents. The improved mass transfer and reactive species generation afforded by these bubbles elevate disinfection and contaminant removal efficacy, supporting regulatory compliance and minimizing the ecological footprint of treated waters. Industry adoption of nano- and microbubble ozonation technologies promises cleaner effluent streams and reduced secondary contamination risks.
The growing commercial interest in ozone-water nanobubble sterilization reflects broader market trends toward greener, safer sanitation technologies. Sectors such as food processing, healthcare, aquaculture, and municipal water treatment are accelerating their adoption of OMNB systems largely due to their chemical-free, residue-free nature, and alignment with tightening environmental regulations and consumer expectations for sustainable practices. Advances in nanobubble generation (NBG) technologies—now increasingly cost-effective and developed locally—facilitate scalable deployment and broad market penetration globally. Despite these promising shifts, challenges remain: precise mechanistic understanding of oxidative interactions, optimization of bubble generation for consistent size and ozone load, and carefully calibrated protocols to maximize microbial inactivation while safeguarding target organisms and maintaining water chemistry balance. Addressing these will be pivotal in characterizing best practices and realizing the full potential of these innovative methods.
In essence, ozone micro- and nanobubble technology represents a revolutionary leap in disinfection, water treatment, and agricultural enhancement. By addressing the historical shortcomings of ozone’s instability and solubility, these bubbles enable robust, sustained ozone delivery and enhanced generation of powerful oxidants—refining sterilization and pollutant degradation processes. Their capacity to inactivate diverse pathogens safely, improve crop and aquatic organism health, and offer environmentally compatible treatment solutions positions them as vital contributors to sustainable resource management and global food security. As research deepens and technologies mature, these advanced ozonation approaches are set to disrupt conventional paradigms, delivering cleaner, safer, and more efficient answers to the pressing hygiene and environmental challenges faced worldwide.
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