Super liquid repellent surfaces for anti-foaming and froth management

William S. Y. Wong (), Abhinav Naga, Lukas Hauer, Philipp Baumli, Hoimar Bauer, Katharina I. Hegner, Maria D’Acunzi, Anke Kaltbeitzel, Hans-Jürgen Butt and Doris Vollmer ()
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William S. Y. Wong: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
Abhinav Naga: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
Lukas Hauer: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
Philipp Baumli: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
Hoimar Bauer: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
Katharina I. Hegner: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
Maria D’Acunzi: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
Anke Kaltbeitzel: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
Hans-Jürgen Butt: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research
Doris Vollmer: Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Wet and dry foams are prevalent in many industries, ranging from the food processing and commercial cosmetic sectors to industries such as chemical and oil-refining. Uncontrolled foaming results in product losses, equipment downtime or damage and cleanup costs. To speed up defoaming or enable anti-foaming, liquid oil or hydrophobic particles are usually added. However, such additives may need to be later separated and removed for environmental reasons and product quality. Here, we show that passive defoaming or active anti-foaming is possible simply by the interaction of foam with chemically or morphologically modified surfaces, of which the superamphiphobic variant exhibits superior performance. They significantly improve retraction of highly stable wet foams and prevention of growing dry foams, as quantified for beer and aqueous soap solution as model systems. Microscopic imaging reveals that amphiphobic nano-protrusions directly destabilize contacting foam bubbles, which can favorably vent through air gaps warranted by a Cassie wetting state. This mode of interfacial destabilization offers untapped potential for developing efficient, low-power and sustainable foam and froth management.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25556-w

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