CO2-switchable foams stabilized by a long-chain viscoelastic surfactant
Ji Wang1, Meiqing Liang1, Qirui Tian1
1Chengdu Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, People's Republic of China.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|April 3, 2018
Summary
Researchers developed novel CO2-switchable foams using a unique cationic surfactant. These smart foams can be reversibly switched between stable and unstable states using carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia, demonstrating potential for advanced material applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Smart foams responsive to external stimuli are gaining attention.
- Reversibly switchable CO2 foams remain less documented in scientific literature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel CO2-switchable foam system.
- To investigate the mechanism behind CO2-induced foam stabilization and destabilization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized N-erucamidopropyl-N,N-dimethylammonium bicarbonate (UC22AMPM·H+) as a surfactant.
- Employed confocal microscopy, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, and rheological techniques.
- Investigated foam properties under the influence of CO2 and ammonia triggers.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated rapid transformation between stable and unstable foam states at ambient temperature.
- Attributed enhanced foam stability in CO2 to high bulk and surface viscosity from entangled wormlike micelles (WLMs).
- Showed foam destabilization upon ammonia addition due to disruption of WLM network structure.
Conclusions:
- Developed a CO2-sensitive viscoelastic surfactant for smart foam fabrication.
- Highlighted CO2's dual role as a dispersed phase and an activator for foam stabilization.
- The system offers a new approach for tunable foam properties using gas stimuli.
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