Abstract:

This paper is intended to explore the influence of the surfactant solution physical parameters and compound components on the foaming and wetting performance by preparing surfactant solutions of different systems. Physical parameters includes the HLB value of surfactant, solution surface tension, and its viscosity. The HLB value of the solution was measured by water counting, and its surface tension and viscosity were measured by the surface tension instrument and rotational viscometer, respectively. Foaming ability of the solution was determined by the shaking method and Warning-Blender method, while foam stability was determined by the foam volume attenuation method. The wetting time was determined by the immersion method. The nonionic-nonionic surfactant system solution was formulated from Tween 85, Tween 40, alkyl glycoside （APG） to change the HLB value of the solution. Results show that the HLB value has no obvious effect on the foaming and wetting performance. Within the test range, when the APG concentration is the same, the solution has similar foaming and wetting performance, indicating that the foaming and wetting performance of the solution mainly depends on the effect of APG concentration. The anionic-nonionic surfactant system solution is formulated from sodium dodecyl sulfate （SDS） and APG to change the surface tension of the solution. Results show that the decrease of surface tension is conducive to the improvement of foaming and wetting performance. When the concentration is greater than the critical micelle concentration （0.011 6%）, the surface tension is almost constant. With the increase of concentration, foaming ability of the solution increases first and then stabilizes, the foam stability decreases and the wetting performance improves. In the compound solution of SDS, APG and xanthan gum, the concentration of xanthan gum is different to change the viscosity of the solution. Results show that the increase of solution viscosity is beneficial to the improvement of foam stability, and the foam can carry more solutions in the initial stage of formation. The foaming ability of the solution is slightly reduced, and the wetting performance decreases. The synergistic effect of surfactant compounding is related to the composition and ratio concentration. The combination of sodium lauryl polyoxyethylene ether sulfate （SLES） and dodecyl dimethyl betaine （BS） has a synergistic effect, and the comprehensive performance is the best when the concentration ratio is 5∶5.

Key words: surfactant, foaming, wetting