Foamability of sodium dodecyl sulfate solutions: Anomalous effect of dodecanol unexplained by conventional theories

Abstract

Conventional theories indicate that surfactant solutions with low surface tension, fast adsorption kinetics, and high interfacial viscoelasticity increase foamability. These theories are applicable to single surfactants of pre-CMC. Here, we examine whether these theories are applicable for surfactant mixtures. Specifically, we investigated the foamability of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-dodecanol (DOH) solutions. We found that the foamability of SDS–DOH solutions exhibited ‘anomalies’ that were unexplained by conventional theories. The remarkable decrease in the foamability of SDS solutions caused by the addition of DOH could not be easily explained by the theories of surface tension and surface viscoelasticity. Instead, we proposed alternative mechanisms to resolve these unexpected results. Below the DOH solubility limit, the replacement of SDS molecules by DOH molecules at the air–water interface results in a reduced surface potential, leading to a lower foamability. The antifoam effects of DOH droplets can account for the reduced foamability above this limit. This paper highlights the complex effect of surfactant mixtures on foamability.