Sonoluminescence Quenching of Organic Compounds in Aqueous Solution: Frequency Effects and Implications for Sonochemistry

Abstract

Solute-induced quenching of sonoluminescence (SL) is reported for aqueous solutions of two homologous series of methyl esters and ketones using low (20 kHz) and high (515 kHz) ultrasound frequencies. SL data at 20 kHz from aqueous solutions containing alcohols and carboxylic acids are also presented to compare with previously published results at 515 kHz. In addition to supporting the previous findings on the existence of stable and transient bubbles at 515 and 20 kHz, respectively, the results suggest that the hydrogen-bonding characteristics of the solutes also play a major role in the extent of SL quenching. An increase in the SL intensity at low concentrations for most of the solutes sug..