ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the practical aspect of foam stabilization, with an attempt to address questions such as: How to stabilize foam? How do additives help to stabilize foam? There are basically two different approaches one may consider for enhancing the stability of foam: to strengthen the physical properties of foam film itself such that it is less susceptible to the external disturbance; and to modify the unfavorable foaming environment. The wide variety of foam additives reported in the literature can be grouped into the following categories: organic compounds; electrolytes; finely divided particles; polymers; biopolymers; and liquid crystals. Surface active organic compounds are the most widely studied foam additives. Alkanol amides are among the most widely used foam additives in practical applications, such as in hand dishwashing detergents and shampoos. Amine oxides are another class of foam stabilizers widely used in practical applications, especially in shampoos and light-duty liquid detergents.
