Dynamic Surface Tension Measurements with Maximum Bubble Pressure Tensiometry

Dynamic surface tension refers to the time dependent variation in surface tension, and is intimately linked with the rate of mass transfer of a surfactant from liquid sub-phase to the interface. The diffusion- or adsorption-limited kinetics of mass transfer to the liquid/gas interface is said to impact the so-called foamability and the Gibbs-Marangoni elasticity of surfaces. Dynamic surface tension measurements carried out with conventional methods like pendant drop analysis, Wilhelmy plate, etc are limited in their temporal resolution (> 50 ms). In this study, we describe the design and application of maximum bubble pressure tensiometry for the measurement of dynamic surface tension effects at extremely short (1-50 ms) timescales. Using experiments and theory, we discuss the challenges and experimental constraints related with the maximum bubble pressure tensiometry measurement.