Stimuli-responsive liquid foams: From design to applications

Highlights

• We review the production methods of responsive foams using responsive foam stabilizers.

• We describe the molecular features leading to photoresponsive foams.

• We point out the links between the contact angle of particles and foam stabilization/destabilization.

• We explain the switchable interfacial properties of polymers and peptides.

• We describe the thermoresponsive foams based on surfactants self-assembled structure and crystalline particles.

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive liquid foams and bubbles are systems for which the stability, structure, shape, and movement can be controlled by the application of stimuli. The foam stability can be modified by a stimulus which can change solution condition (pH, temperature, and ionic strength) or with the application of an external field (light and magnetic). Different foam stabilizers have been described in the literature to design these responsive foams systems ranging from surfactants, peptides, polymers, soft polymer particles, surfactants self-assembly, crystalline particles, emulsion droplets, and solid particles. This review aims to cover the recent advances of the design of stimuli-responsive liquid foams and their applications. Responsive liquid foams are attractive in textile coloring process, biomedical application, washing, and material recovery processes.