Issue 11, 2009

Particle-stabilised foams: an interfacial study

Abstract

In an attempt to elucidate the remarkable stability of foams generated from dispersions of partially hydrophobic nanoparticles (fumed silica), we present investigations into the static and dilational properties of the gas–liquid interfaces of such dispersions. By relating the dynamic surface tension γ(t) and the dilational elasticity E measured using an oscillating bubble device, we confirm that the Gibbs stability criterion E > γ/2 against foam coarsening is fulfilled. We complement these studies using ellipsometry and Brewster angle microscopy, which provide evidence for a pronounced adsorption barrier for the particles and a network-like structure in the interface at sufficiently high concentrations. We observe this structure also in freely suspended films drawn from the same particle dispersions.

Graphical abstract: Particle-stabilised foams: an interfacial study

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
20 Jan 2009
Accepted
19 Mar 2009
First published
24 Apr 2009

Soft Matter, 2009,5, 2215-2222

Particle-stabilised foams: an interfacial study

A. Stocco, W. Drenckhan, E. Rio, D. Langevin and B. P. Binks, Soft Matter, 2009, 5, 2215 DOI: 10.1039/B901180C

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