Switching Reversibly between Ultrastable and Unstable Foams

TL;DR

This paper presents a method to reversibly switch foam stability by heating, using hydroxyl fatty acids tubes that transition to micelles, enabling temperature-tunable foam stability.

Contribution

It introduces a novel foam system where stability can be reversibly controlled through temperature-induced structural transitions of stabilizing agents.

Findings

Ultrastable foams achieved with hydroxyl fatty acids tubes.

Foam stability can be reversibly switched by heating.

First demonstration of temperature-tunable foam stability.

Abstract

Ultrastable foams with an optimal foamability have been obtained using hydroxyl fatty acids tubes. The stabilization results from the adsorption of monomers at the air-water interface preventing coalescence and coarsening and from the presence of tubes in the Plateau borders limiting the drainage. Upon heating, tubes transit to micelles, which induces foam destabilization. Such foams are thus the first to have a temperature tunable stability.