Time scales for drainage and imbibition in gellified foams: application to decontamination processes

Abstract

We probe the drainage and imbibition dynamics of foams in which the continuous aqueous phase is a transient polymer gel-like network. We find that these foams are unusually stable, as the drainage flow of the aqueous phase is extremely slow – several weeks. However they can quickly absorb liquids, in a few seconds. These foams could therefore be used to decontaminate surfaces.