Foamitizer: High ethanol content foams using fatty acid crystalline particles

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Colloid and Surface Chemistry
• Formulation Science

Background:

• Aqueous foams are common, but stabilizing high-alcohol (>75%) foams remains challenging.
• High alcohol content destabilizes conventional foam structures, limiting applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop stable foams using high ethanol content.
• To investigate the use of natural fatty acid crystals for foam stabilization.
• To explore potential applications in alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

Main Methods:

• Utilized natural fatty acid crystals as stabilizers for high ethanol foams.
• Investigated crystal adsorption at the air-water interface.
• Examined crystal melting as a trigger for foam destabilization (thermostimulable foams).

Main Results:

• Achieved long-term stable foams with high ethanol content (>75%).
• Fatty acid crystals adsorbed to the air-water surface, preventing bubble coalescence.
• Foam destabilization was triggered by crystal melting, creating responsive formulations.

Conclusions:

• Natural fatty acid crystals effectively stabilize high ethanol foams.
• Thermostimulable foams offer a novel formulation strategy for hand sanitizers.
• These foams can improve hand cleansing, provide skin protection, and limit pathogen transmission.