Investigations on foamability of surface-chemically pure aqueous solutions of functionalized alkylaldonamides

The foamability of the aqueous solutions of functionalized, surface-chemically pure surfactants of the nonionic saccharide-type: N,N-di-n-alkylaldonamides, N-alkyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)aldonamides, and N-cycloalkylaldonamides, derivatives of D-glucono-1,5-lactone and/or D-glucoheptono-1,4-lactone, were investigated. The approach of Lunkenheimer and Małysa for the characterization of the foamability and foam stability of these surfactant solutions was applied for these investigations. Using standard parameters related to the different physical stages of the foaming process, foam stability can be described in a simple and easy manner. In general, the investigated alkylaldonamides form foams of medium stability. However, for some homologues a transition from unstable to stable foam systems is observed with increasing concentration. Modifications of the molecular structure of the alkylaldonamides are distinctly reflected in their foam properties. This fact concerns not only changes of the hydrophobic moiety and its functionalization but also slight variations of the saccharide residue. Each homologous series reveals an exceptional foam behavior. In the case of the N,N-di-n-alkylaldonamides the increase of the n-alkyl chain length is accompanied by an increase of the foam stability. The aqueous solutions of the N-alkyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)aldonamides reveal most favorable foaming properties for homologues with average alkyl chain lengths. Moreover, it was found that the occurrence of a phase transition in the adsorption layers of the N-cyclooctylgluconamides previously observed by surface tension and surface potential measurements is also remarkably reflected in their foam stability.