Amino acid-driven hydrophobization of alumina and production of particle stabilised foams in a broader pH range

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that amino acids can hydrophobize alumina particles across a broad pH range, enabling the creation of ultrastable, long-lasting foams with potential applications in high-temperature thermal insulation.

Contribution

It introduces a combined simulation and experimental approach to induce hydrophobization of alumina particles using amino acids, expanding foam stability across various pH levels.

Findings

Amino acids interact with alumina to increase hydrophobicity, especially those with higher molecular mass.

Ultrastable foams with lifetimes over 100 hours were produced.

Foams remained stable across different pH conditions, suitable for high-temperature applications.

Abstract

The interaction of amino acids (glycine, L-valine, L-isoleucine and L-leucine) with alumina surface was studied to induce partial hydrophobization and production of ultrastable particle-stabilised foams. The evaluation of these amino acids was carried out by mechano-quantum simulations followed by experimental tests (foamability, zeta potential, contact angle and foam lifetime measurements). The experimental results agreed with the trends pointed out by the simulations. The selected amino acids interact with alumina particles in aqueous media and in a broader pH range, leading to hydrophobization of surfaces, which was more intense for amino acids with higher molecular mass (isoleucine and leucine). As a consequence, ultrastable foams with a longer lifetime (> 100 hours) were produced and the foam microstructure was preserved from ageing phenomena. Moreover, the attained foams were stable at different pH, opening up new possibilities to develop macroporous multiphasic ceramics, which can result in novel materials for thermal insulation at high temperatures.