Exploring viscosity influence mechanisms on coating removal: Insights from single cavitation bubble behaviours in low-frequency ultrasonic settings

The role of acoustic cavitation in various surface cleaning disciplines is important. However, the physical mechanisms underlying acoustic cavitation-induced surface cleansing are poorly understood. This is due to the combination of microscopic and ultrashort timescales associated with the dynamics of acoustic cavitation bubbles. Here, we have precisely controlled single-bubble cavitation in both space and time. Ultrasonic excitation leads to the cavitation of generated single bubbles. A synchronous ultrafast photomicrographic system simultaneously records the dynamics of single acoustic cavitation bubbles (SACBs) and the cleaning process of the nearby surface in liquids with varying viscosities. Finally, we analysed the correlation between bubble dynamics and surface cleaning situations. The differences in the typical dynamic characteristics of the bubbles during collapse in liquids with varying viscosities reveal two main mechanisms underlying surface cleaning by acoustic cavitation, which are respective the Laplace pressure during the bubble’s movement and liquid jets during bubble collapse. Our study provides a better physical understanding of the ultrasonic cleaning process based on acoustic cavitation, and will help to optimize and facilitate the applications of surface cleaning, especially for the cleaning of substrates with tightly attached dirt.