Physicochemical control of foam properties

This article summarizes our recent understanding on how various essential foam properties could be controlled (viz. modified in a desired way) using appropriate surfactants, polymers, particles and their mixtures as foaming agents. In particular, we consider the effects of these agents on the foaminess of solutions and suspensions (foam volume and bubble size after foaming); foam stability to liquid drainage, bubble coalescence and bubble Ostwald ripening; foam rheological properties and bubble size in sheared foams. We discuss multiple, often non-trivial links between these foam properties and, on this basis, we summarize the mechanisms that allow one to use appropriate foaming agents for controlling these properties. The specific roles of the surface adsorption layers and of the bulk properties of the foaming solutions are clearly separated. Multiple examples are given, and some open questions are discussed. Where appropriate, similarities with the emulsions are noticed.     

The Effect of Macromolecules on Foam Stability in Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate/Cetylpyridinium Bromide Mixtures

Abstract

The effects of macromolecules, gelatin, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), on the properties of foam comprising sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cetylpyridinium bromide (CPDB) have been studied by measurements of foamability, foam stability, surface tension, and solution specific viscosity. The results indicate that foamability and foam stability are significantly improved when macromolecules are added into mixed systems. Both gelatin and PVP associate with SDS/CPDB surfactants and form aggregates. Electrostatic repulsion and steric stabilization between the two sides of the foam lamellae, due to aggregation, and prevention of drainage in the lamellae, achieved by the long chains of macromolecules are the reasons for increasing foamability and foam stability. The interactions between PVP and surfactants is weaker than those between gelatin and surfactants. The strongest association between macromolecules and surfactants occurs when the molar ratio of SDS/CPDB is 1:1. By comparing PVP with gelatin, the former is favored to increase foamability, and the latter is favored to increase foam stability.     

原花青素及其组合物对泡沫细胞形成的影响

目的观察原花青素及其与抗炎活性成分（积雪草苷、姜黄素、茶多酚）的组合物对氧化低密度脂蛋白（ox- LDL）刺激巨噬细胞形成泡沫细胞过程中炎症细胞因子和细胞内胆固醇含量的变化。方法以体外培养的小鼠单核巨噬细胞系RAW264.7细胞为材料和ox- LDL刺激RAW264.7细胞24h形成泡沫细胞为模型,RT- PCR方法检测细胞因子IL-1β和TNF-αmRNA水平,试剂盒测定细胞内游离胆固醇和总胆固醇的含量。结果原花青素及其与积雪草苷、姜黄素、茶多酚组合物可明显降低泡沫细胞内的胆固醇酯与总胆固醇的比值,抑制泡沫细胞的形成,显著抑制泡沫细胞的IL-1β和TNF-αmRNA表达,其中原花青素与姜黄素的组合物作用最强。结论原花青素组合物通过降低细胞内胆固醇酯的含量,减轻细胞泡沫化程度和减轻细胞的炎症反应起到抗动脉粥样硬化的作用。     

Electrochemical synthesis of microporous polyaniline films using foam templates prepared by ultrasonication

We report a new soft template method for the synthesis of unique polyaniline (PANI) films with microporous structures. In this process, ultrasonication is used to foam an electrolyte solution containing a surfactant, which is subsequently employed as a soft template for PANI growth via the electrochemical polymerization of aniline. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy demonstrates that the resulting PANI films contain numerous micropores. These microporous PANI films exhibit faster charging (doping) and discharging (dedoping) current responses compared to ordinary flat films of the same material.     

Foam in pharmaceutical and medical applications

Topical foams are an attractive and promising delivery system for cosmetic, pharmaceutical and medical applications due to their beneficial properties, ease of application and enhanced patients’ acceptability/compliance. Below the recent developments of topical foams for cosmetic and dermal applications are reviewed, classification based on foam formulation is provided and recent assessment methods of important physical parameters of topical foam are reviewed. In spite of the increasing number of studies devoted to topical foams for dermal applications, the majority of studies have assessed the stability and structure of foam in contact with solid nonporous surfaces. Improved understanding of the destabilisation mechanisms of such foams in contact with porous surfaces, such as skin or skin-like membranes still remains elusive. The review ends with recent developments in dermal foams; considerable attention has been paid in developing novel foams for the treatment of chronic skin diseases and disorders, particularly those involving skin infections.     

An equation describing aqueous and non-aqueous foam collapse

The collapse profiles of foams formed from model aqueous and non-aqueous foaming solutions have been recorded using a novel device, the Optical Transmission Foam Meter. An equation comprising two exponential terms has been used to describe the profiles and an attempt has been made to relate the equation parameters to some of the physical properties of the gas and liquid phases.     

低密度微孔聚合物泡沫的制备

 介绍了一种利用聚合物和溶剂的相分离，经过冷冻干燥来制备聚合物泡沫（特别是聚苯乙烯类泡沫）的通用技术。采用该技术制备的具有开放状孔洞结构的聚苯乙烯泡沫的密度为0.02~0.1g/cm3，平均孔径为1～20μm，而且泡沫具有各向同性，孔径非常均匀。通过对聚合物泡沫的表征，对影响泡沫形貌和密度的因素，如聚合物/溶剂体系，冷却速率等进行了研究，结果表明：所用溶剂对于该聚合物的Θ温度（溶剂与聚合物作用力为零的温度）必须高于该溶剂的熔点；采用单轴冷却方式可以减小由于溶液中心处和外围处的温差而引起的热应力对泡沫形貌的影响，冷却速率为100℃/min。     

Transient and steady-state drag in foam

The steady-state force exerted on a sphere moving at constant speed through an aqueous foam is studied experimentally. The dependence of the force on container size indicates that the moving sphere is surrounded by a fluidised region that extends approximately one sphere radius into the foam. The force increases with the speed of the sphere, but with a finite zero-speed intercept which is a measure of the yield stress of the foam. The steady-state force as a function of pulling speed yields a flow curve which can be described by a Herschel-Bulkley constitutive relation. The transient build-up of the force when motion starts, and its relaxation when motion stops, are also studied. While the initial build-up has a single time constant inversely proportional to the imposed shear rate, the relaxation involves three distinct processes which we relate to events on the scale of the individual bubbles making up the foam.     

Rheometric properties of micron-sized CaCO3 suspensions stabilised by a physical polyol/silica gel for polyurethane foams

This article considers the rheometric properties of mixtures containing a micron-sized mineral filler of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) in a polymer matrix gelled by adding colloidal silica (CS). These mixtures, consisting of a polymer matrix (polyols, catalysts, surfactant) are used to produce polyurethane foams. The suspending phase (polymer matrix/CS) has a yield stress that has been linked to fractal aggregation of the colloidal filler. Suspensions without any colloidal silica (polymer matrix/CaCO₃), show aggregation of CaCO₃ which is most probably due to the adsorption of catalysts present in the polymer matrix. Beyond a critical CaCO₃ volume fraction, a yield stress is detected indicating a 3D connected structure. In the case of suspensions containing colloidal silica (polymer matrix/CaCO₃/SC), the yield stress is due to a combination of the fractal network formed by the colloidal silica and aggregation of the micron-sized particles of CaCO₃.