Effects of Film Elasticity and Surface Forces on the Stability of Foams and Lamellae Films in the Presence of Non-ionic Surfactants

Abstract

This paper describes the basic factors affecting the stability of the foam films produced in the presence of nonionic surfactants such as n-pentanol, n-octanol, methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC), and polypropylene glycol (PPG). We used a model developed by Wang and Yoon (Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects 282-283, 84-91 (2006)) to calculate the Gibbs elasticity of the lamellae films. In addition, we used the thin film pressure balance (TFPB) technique to measure film thicknesses. The results were used to determine the disjoining pressures in the thin lamellae (foam) films formed between air bubbles, which are relevant forces governing the final drainage stage of foam films before reaching either equilibrium or rupture. The film elasticity and surface forces data were then compared with the foam stabilities measured in the present work in the presence of the various surfactants. It was found that foam stabilities are controlled both by film elasticity and by surface forces, the relative contributions of each changing with surfactant type and concentration. In general, surface forces play a more important role at relatively low surfactant concentrations, while elasticity plays a more important role at higher concentrations. At the surfactant additions usually employed in the mining industry, MIBC stabilizes foams by increasing disjoining pressures, while PPG-400 stabilizes foams by increasing film elasticity.