Synthesis of new fluorinated foaming particles

This paper describes how to synthesise new hydrophobic foaming particles by grafting short fluorinated phosphonic acid (3 carbons) on commercial hydrophilic alumina particles.The short grafting fluorinated agent CF3–CFH–CF2–P(O)(OH)2 preparation is detailed. The corresponding hydrophobic foaming particles are easily prepared by acidic–alkaline grafting using this molecule. “Bikerman foams” are easily generated by air sparging through an aqueous suspension of fluorinated alumina particles. The expansion ratio of the foam could be greater than 20. On a free drainage configuration, relatively dry foams were obtained with a high life time, more than 10 h. The mechanism of stabilisation proposed to describe the role of the particles is based on the attachment of the particles at the air–water interface.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► The fluorinated phosphonic acid (CF3–CFH–CF2–P(O)(OH)2) preparation is detailed. ► Fluorinated foaming particles were synthesised by chain grafting on alumina particles. ► Foamability of these particles was studied by generating Bikerman foams.