AbstractsChemistry

How to Make a Giant Bubble

by Stephen C Frazier




Institution: Emory University
Department:
Year: 2016
Keywords: Surfactants; Polymers; Drainage; Rheology; Film profiles; Bubbles; Physics; Condensed matter physics; Materials science
Posted: 02/05/2017
Record ID: 2064052
Full text PDF: http://pid.emory.edu/ark:/25593/rhjp6


Abstract

Soap and water solutions can form massive, free floating films encompassing volumes in excess of 20 m3 with thicknesses of only 10-100 microns when mixed with polymeric additives. These films are interesting from a physical standpoint due to their long lifetime and stability in ambient environments. We have investigated a variety of mixtures which are deemed 'optimal' for making large bubbles, such as solutions made from guar seeds and polyethylene oxide (PEO). Using a combination of shear rheology, drop-based extensional rheology, high-speed studies of bursting mechanics, and drainage rate measurements, we found that 'optimal' solutions showed similar extensional properties even though their shear viscosity differed by more than an order of magnitude. Polymeric bubbles also showed increased stability to aging in dry environments. Most importantly, it was found that soap and water solutions with polymers added lived 2-3 times longer and drained more slowly than typical soap and water solutions. These results show that the addition of polymers make the formation of massive bubbles possible due to enhanced elongational characteristics and drastically lower drainage rates. Table of Contents  – Chapter 1: Introduction…………………………………………1  – 1.1 Basics of Surfactant Solutions…………………………………………………………2  – 1.2 Rheology Introduction……………………………………………………………….. .5  – 1.3 Mechanics of Film Formation and Bursting…………………………………………...7  – 1.3.1 Extensional Flow…………………………………………………………….7  – 1.3.2 Bursting Mechanics………………………………………………………….8  – 1.4 Drainage……………………………………………………………………………….9  – 1.5 Soap Bubble Wiki…………………………………………………………………….10  – 1.6 Thesis Outline………………………………………………………………………...12  – Chapter 2: Rheological Studies of Polymer-Surfactant Solutions…………………………………………………………13  – 2.1 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..13  – 2.2 Methods………………………………………………………………………………14  – 2.2.1 Sample Preparation…………………………………………………………14  – 2.2.2 Rheological Methods……………………………………………………….15  – 2.3 Results and Discussion……………………………………………………………….16  – 2.4 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………18  – Chapter 3: Extensional Flow and Bursting Mechanics of Polymer-Surfactant Films……………………………………...19  – 3.1… Advisors/Committee Members: Roth, Connie (Committee Member), Veneziani, Alessandro (Committee Member), Weeks, Eric (Committee Member), Burton, Justin C (Thesis Advisor).