Sonochemistry: Science and engineering

Sonochemistry is the use of ultrasound to enhance or alter chemical reactio ns. Sonochemistry in the true sense of the term occurs when ultrasound indu ces "true" chemical effects on the reaction system, such as forming free ra dicals which accelerate the reaction. However, ultrasound may have other me chanical effects on the reaction, such as increasing the surface area betwe en the reactants, accelerating dissolution, and/or renewing the surface of a solid reactant or catalyst. This comprehensive review summarizes several topics of study in the sonochemical literature, including bubble dynamics, factors affecting cavitation, the effects of ultrasound on a variety of che mical systems, modeling of kinetic and mass-transfer effects, the methods u sed to produce ultrasound, proposed cavitation reactors, and the problems o f scaleup. The objective of this paper is to present a critical review of i nformation available in the literature so as to facilitate and inspire futu re research in the field of sonochemistry.