Foamability of Detergent Solutions Prepared with Different Types of Surfactants and Waters

Abstract

In the development of new detergent products, it is important to test the foaming behavior of different types of surfactants. Different types and concentrations of surfactant solutions prepared with three types of water are expected to present differences in their foamability. In this study, foam volumes produced by cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB; C₁₉H₄₂BrN), Tween 80^® (T80; C₆₄H₁₂₄O₂₆) and sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS; C₁₂H₂₅NaO₄S) aqueous solutions (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%, w/v) were compared using a stirring system, rotating at 8,000, 9,500 and 13,500 rpm. The foamability produced by CTAB, SDS and T80 solutions, in a concentration range between 0.2 and 1.0% (w/v), prepared using deionized, hard and hypersaline water were also compared. Foam volumes were higher at a stirring speed of 9,500 rpm than at 8,000 rpm. However, the results obtained at 9,500 and 13,500 rpm were not significantly different. In general, SDS solutions produced higher foam volumes than CTAB and T80 solutions. Water characteristics did not seem to influence significantly the foamability of the three types of surfactants in the studied concentrations. These studies related with foaming behavior appear to be an important step in the pre-formulation of detergent products, particularly in cosmetics and pharmaceutics.