Transition from nanobubble-induced-blockage to enhancing water flux

•Nanobubbles form and accumulate in carbon nanotubes, hindering water flow in nanofluidic devices.•A new method based on ratchet-like mechanics is applied to resume water flow in the nanotubes.•The proposed method has potential applications in high-flux nanofluidic systems. Gas bubbles often form and accumulate in microfluidic devices, which is a critical obstacle in microfluidic applications. Here, we report by molecular dynamics simulations that “nanobubbles” can form and hinder water flow through the carbon nanotubes which are core components of nanofluidic devices. It is exceedingly difficult to remove the “nanobubble” trapped in the nanotube by a conventional method of hydrostatic or osmotic pressure gradient. Ratchet-like mechanics is applied to resume water flow powered by mechanical resonance. Interestingly, the water flow is even faster as compared to the pure water system without nanobubbles. Our findings provide a new means for solving pore-blocking problems in nanochannels and have potential applications in the design of high-flux nanofluidic systems.