The effect of ultrasound on bulk and surface nanobubbles: A review of the current status

•Effect of ultrasound parameters on bulk and surface nanobubbles are reviewed.•Generation and stability mechanisms of nanobubbles in acoustic fields are discussed.•Future research focuses in the effect of ultrasound on nanobubbles are given. The generation, and stability of nanobubbles are of particular interest for fundamental research and have potential application in numerous fields. Several attempts were made in the literature to produce nanobubbles through acoustic cavitation. However, the generation and stability mechanisms of nanobubbles in the acoustic field are unclear. Here, we review the effect of ultrasound parameters on bulk nanobubbles and surface nanobubbles. On this basis, we discuss the proposed generation and stability mechanisms of nanobubbles from the perspective of transient and stable acoustic cavitation. Moreover, we propose some future research directions for a deeper understanding of the role of ultrasound in the generation and stability of nanobubbles.