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Surfactant Adsorption to Different Fluid Interfaces
Jotam Bergfreund1, Sarina Siegenthaler1, Viviane Lutz-Bueno1
1Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|May 25, 2021
Summary
This study reveals how oil type and polarity influence surfactant adsorption at fluid interfaces. Surfactant adsorption is predictable, impacting emulsion and foam formation in various industries.
Area of Science:
- Colloid and Surface Science
- Physical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Surfactant adsorption at fluid interfaces is fundamental to biological and industrial processes.
- Understanding surfactant behavior with different hydrophobic phases (air, oil) is crucial for applications.
- Oil polarity significantly affects surfactant interactions at interfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of hydrophobic phase type and oil polarity on surfactant adsorption.
- To establish correlations between interfacial properties and surfactant behavior.
- To enhance predictability of surfactant interactions for practical applications.
Main Methods:
- Investigated adsorption of anionic, cationic, and non-ionic surfactants.
- Studied interfaces with air and oils of varying polarities.
- Analyzed surfactant-induced interfacial tension decrease (interfacial pressure).
Main Results:
- Interfacial pressure linearly correlates with initial interfacial tension, validating over 30 literature studies.
- Increased competition from polar oil molecules reduces adsorbed surfactant numbers.
- Surfactant critical micelle concentration correlates with oil solubility in water.
Conclusions:
- Oil nature critically influences surfactant adsorption behavior and equilibrium at fluid interfaces.
- Developed a predictive model for surfactant-interface interactions.
- Findings are essential for optimizing emulsion, foam, and capsule formation in diverse products.
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