Abstract
AbstractThe equilibrium thickness of free thin films produced from aqueous solutions of C12(EO)5 surfactant (a model frother) with potassium ethylxanthate—KEX (a model collector)—was studied in a wide range of concentrations (from 10−7 M to 2 × 10−2 M C12(EO)5; up to 10−2 M xanthate).The xanthate was found to behave in a similar way to common electrolytes and upon its addition the equilibrium film thickness was reduced, apparently due to the suppression of the electrostatic repulsion. However, at higher C12(EO)5 concentrations (≥10−5 M) the equilibrium thickness of the film increased relative to the thickness established with simple inorganic electrolytes at the same ionic strenght. This was explained by the negatively charged xanthate interacting with the non‐ionic frother at the interface and causing a build‐up of charge.Higher frother concentrations were necessary to produce non‐rupturing films upon increasing the KEX content. This ‘antifoaming’ effect of the xanthate compliments its influence on the electrostatic interactions in the film.
Published Version
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