Short answer: Yes — but not by directly filtering them out.
Nanobubbles don’t “catch” nanoplastics like a sieve, but they can transform the water chemistry in ways that make nanoplastics easier to remove.
Here’s how they work behind the scenes:
✅ How Nanobubbles Help Remove Nanoplastics
1. Aggregation via Surface Charge (Zeta Potential Reduction)
- Nanoplastics usually repel each other because of surface charges.
- Nanobubbles can alter the zeta potential, reducing this repulsion.
- The result? Nanoplastics clump together (aggregate) into larger particles that are easier to filter or settle out.
2. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Generation
- When nanobubbles (especially oxygen or ozone) collapse, they create free radicals such as hydroxyl radicals.
- These radicals can degrade organic pollutants — and in some cases, partially break down nanoplastics or change their surfaces, making removal easier.
3. Flotation & Separation
- Nanobubbles can attach to nanoplastic aggregates, increasing their buoyancy.
- This improves flotation-based separation, similar to Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) — but more efficient due to their tiny size and higher surface energy.
4. Enhanced Filtration or Coagulation
- When used alongside coagulants, membranes, or filtration systems, nanobubbles can significantly boost removal rates.
- They help coagulated clusters stay intact and pass through membranes more efficiently.
🔬 What Does the Research Say?
- Ongoing studies show promising results for nanobubble-assisted removal of both microplastics and nanoplastics.
- However, nanobubbles alone aren’t a silver bullet. Best results come when combined with other treatment methods like:
- Membrane filtration
- Coagulation/flocculation
- Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs)
🧪 In Summary
Nanobubbles can play a powerful supporting role in nanoplastic removal:
✅ Alter surface charge
✅ Boost aggregation
✅ Enable flotation
✅ Generate reactive species
They enhance existing treatment processes — making your system more efficient, eco-friendly, and future-ready for emerging contaminants.
