Foams Stabilized by Multilamellar Polyglycerol Ester Self-Assemblies

The importance of surfactant self-assemblies in foam stabilization is well-known. The aim of the current study was to investigate the self-assemblies of the nonionic surfactant polyglycerol ester (PGE) in bulk solutions, at the interface and within foams, using a combined approach of small-angle neu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Langmuir 2013-01, Vol.29 (1), p.38-49
Main Authors: Curschellas, Corina, Kohlbrecher, Joachim, Geue, Thomas, Fischer, Peter, Schmitt, Bertrand, Rouvet, Martine, Windhab, Erich J, Limbach, Hans Jörg
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemistry
Colloidal state and disperse state
Emulsions. Microemulsions. Foams
Exact sciences and technology
General and physical chemistry
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Summary:The importance of surfactant self-assemblies in foam stabilization is well-known. The aim of the current study was to investigate the self-assemblies of the nonionic surfactant polyglycerol ester (PGE) in bulk solutions, at the interface and within foams, using a combined approach of small-angle neutron scattering, neutron reflectivity, and electron microscopy. PGE bulk solutions contain vesicles as well as open lamellar structures. Upon heating of the solutions the lamellar spacing increases, with significant differences in the presence of NaCl or CaCl2 as compared to the standard solution. The adsorption of the multilamellar structures present in the bulk solutions lead to a multilayered film at the air–water interface. The ordering within this film was increased as a result of a 20% area compression mimicking a coalescence event. Finally, PGE foams were shown to be stabilized not only by strong interfacial films but also by agglomerated self-assemblies within the interstitial areas of the foams.
ISSN:0743-7463
1520-5827
DOI:10.1021/la3029116