Dynamic Interfacial Properties and Foamability of DoTAB/SiO2 Mixtures

Abstract

The interaction between nanoparticles and cationic surfactants is an exciting and emerging field in interfacial science. This area of research holds significant promise, linking fundamental principles to practical applications in a variety of industries, including chemical processes, biomedical applications and the petroleum industry. This study explores the interaction between dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DoTAB) and silica (SiO2) nanoparticles, investigating their influence on dynamic interfacial properties and foam characteristics. Through equilibrium and dynamic surface tension measurements, along with examining the dilational visco-elasticity behavior, this research reveals the complex surface behavior of DoTAB/SiO2 mixtures compared to individual surfactant solutions. The foamability and stability experiments indicate that the addition of SiO2 significantly improves the foam stability. Notably, stable foams are achieved at low SiO2 concentrations, suggesting a cost-effective approach to enhancing the foam stability. This study identifies the optimal stability conditions for 12 mM DoTAB solutions, emphasizing the crucial role of the critical aggregation concentration region. These findings offer valuable insights for designing surfactant-nanoparticle formulations to enhance foam performance in various industrial applications.