Influence of viscosity and surface tension on bubble dynamics and mass transfer in a model bubble column

•The influence of viscosity and surface tension (12 different mixture at 3 different gas flow rates) on bubble dynamics and gas liquid mass transfer was examined experimentally in a model bubble column.•Bubble size and velocity, CO2 mass transfer and liquid velocity were determined with optical measurement methods (Shadowgraphy, PTV, LIF and PIV).•The highest mass transfer was achieved with distilled water.•With decreasing surface tension and decreasing viscosity, the bubble size is decreased but neither the addition of glycerol nor the addition of surfactant was found to be beneficial to mass transfer from the CO2 bubbles into the liquid.