Comparative study on foaming and foam stability of multiple mixed systems of fluorocarbon, hydrocarbon, and amino acid surfactants

Abstract This study focuses on the effect of amino acid surfactant (sodium lauroyl glutamate [SLG]) on foam properties of a mixture of fluorocarbon (FS‐50) and hydrocarbon (APG0810) surfactants. The molecular interactions, foamability, and foam stability of the surfactant solutions are systematically studied. The results show that SLG has stronger ability to lower surface tension of water compared to APG0810, but worse that than FS‐50, and to adsorb onto gas/liquid interface in mixed solutions with FS‐50 compared to APG0810. The addition of SLG increased foamability of APG0810/FS‐50 mixed solution, and decelerated foam drainage and coarsening of individual APG0810, individual FS‐50, and mixture of APG0810/FS‐50 solutions. The mixture of SLG/FS‐50 exhibited the higher foamability and foam stability than the frequently used critical component of the new developed AFFF, the mixture of APG0810/FS‐50. This study can provide guidance for the scientific application of amino acid surfactants in the development of environmentally friendly firefighting foams.