Optimum Dodecanol-detergent foam performance for formulation of eco-friendly surfactants

Abstract

Optimum foam performance is of tremendous importance from the standpoint of formulation of biodegradable, environmental friendly surfactants. To gain deeper understanding on foams required for judging such surfactants, aqueous foams generated by the use of mixtures of dodecanol, n-butanol and popular detergent Surf Excel were first characterized using a Dynamic Foam Analyzer DFA 100 (Kruss GmbH, Germany) for parameters like foam capacity and RMI 30. Mathematical models for foam capacity and RMI 30 were developed by using the Central Composite Experimental Design (CCD) approach of Response Surface Methodology and then statistically analyzed and validated. The responses obtained in the study were foam capacity (FC) and RMI 30 in mL. Numerical optimization for the responses, using the model equations developed, was performed by using Design- Expert Software version 9.0.4.1. The optimum values of responses FC and RMI 30 were found to be in reasonable agreement with the experimental results