A unified nonlinear fractional equation of the diffusion-controlled surfactant adsorption: Reappraisal and new solution of the Ward–Tordai problem

The article addresses a reappraisal of the famous Ward–Tordai equation describing the equilibrium of surfactants at air/liquid interfaces under diffusion control. The new derivation is entirely developed in the light of fractional calculus. The unified approach demonstrates that this equation can be clearly reformulated as a nonlinear ordinary time-fractional equation of order 1/2. The work formulates versions with different isotherms. A simple solution of the case with the Henry’s isotherm and a discussion of a Cauchy problem involving the Freundlich isotherm are provided.