An Insight into Cavitation

A number of reactirais, especially those in heterogeneous systems, such as alkoxide/ water mixtures, have been shown to give enhanced reaction rates and yields under sonication. The process is driven by acoustic cavitation [1—4]. 

This phenomenon is based on the creation of cavities within the liquid caused by the propagation of a pressure wave through the Uquid [5]. During the rarefaction period, the microbubbles increase in size according to the gas compression law. Inside the bubble, the gas pressure tends to expand it On the other hand, the surface tension at the 

Esquivias Departamento de Fisica de la Materia Condensada, Facultad de Fisica, 

Instituto de Ciencias de Materiales de Sevilla (CSIC), Univeisidad de Sevilla, 41012 Seville, Spain e-mail luisesquivias us.es 

Pinero Departamento de Fisica ApUcada, CASEM, Univeisidad de Cadiz, 11510 Cadiz, Spain e-mail manolo.piniero uca.es 

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