Measurements of the Surface Elasticity in Medium Frequency Range Using the Oscillating Bubble Method

Various experimental techniques are available for the investigation of dynamic surface tension, and a generally accepted theoretical model of these dynamics has been established. However, reliable rheological parameters of a fluid surface are very scarce. Therefore, comparisons of rheological parameters resulting from slow and faster processes or from theoretical calculations are required. In particular, a comprehensive experimental verification of the complex surface elasticity modulus which characterizes the dynamic behavior of a fluid surface in an appropriate manner is desirable. For this reason a new version of oscillating bubble method was developed which allows exact measurements of the complex elasticity modulus in the frequency range 3-500 Hz. With this method the assumptions of the theory of dynamic surface tension can be verified for medium frequencies. The new experimental results, in particular the experimental determination of the Gibbs elasticity, reveal that these assumptions are only approximately valid for faster processes. However, with a slight modification of the established model the experimental results can be explained. These experiments were carried out with solutions of tridecyl dimethyl phosphine oxide, fatty acids, n-alkanols, and triton X-100 at different surfactant concentrations. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.