Surface adsorption of sulfonated poly(phenylene sulfone)/C14TAB mixtures and its correlation with foam film stability.

Polyelectrolyte/surfactant mixtures of rigid monosulfonated poly(phenylene sulfone) (sPSO2-220) and tetradecyl trimethylammonium bromide (C14TAB) were investigated by surface tension, surface elasticity and foam film stability measurements. The results were compared to former measurements of polyelectrolyte/surfactant mixtures containing more flexible polyelectrolytes (PAMPS or PSS and C14TAB). For all polyelectrolyte/surfactant mixtures an increased surface adsorption in comparison to the pure surfactant was detected. Moreover, sPSO2-220/C14TAB mixtures showed a much higher surface activity and foam film stability than mixtures with more flexible polyelectrolytes. The results presented give insight into the surface adsorption and foam film formation of rigid polyelectrolyte/surfactant mixtures. Therefore, this study helps to understand the role of polyelectrolyte backbone rigidity in the formation and stabilization of foam films made from polyelectrolyte/surfactant mixtures.