Relaxation of adsorption layers at solution/air interfaces using axisymmetric drop-shape analysis

Abstract

Axisymmetric drop-shape analysis is used to investigate the relaxation of surfactant adsorption layers after transient interfacial area changes, e.g. square-pulse or step-type disturbances. The response functions for sodium dodecyl sulfate solutions of different origin and for sodium tetradecyl sulfate are measured and interpreted in terms of a diffusion-controlled matter-exchange model. For both surfactant systems the data can be explained by considering small amounts of surface-active contaminations.