Surface Activity and Foaming Capacity of Aggregates Formed between an Anionic Surfactant and Non-Cellulosics Leached from Wood Fibers

This study relates to the release of non-cellulosic components (cell wall heteropolysaccharides, lignin, and extractives) from swollen wood fibers in the presence of an anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) at submicellar concentrations. Highly surface-active aggregates form between SDS and the leached, non-cellulosic components, which otherwise do not occur in the presence of cationic or nonionic surfactants. The in situ and efficient generation of liquid foams in the presence of the leached species is demonstrated. The foaming capacity and foam stability, as well as the foam's structure, are determined as a function of the composition of the aqueous suspension. The results indicate that naturally occurring components bound to wood fibers are extractable solely with aqueous solutions of the anionic surfactant. Moreover, they can form surface-active aggregates that have a high foaming capacity. The results further our understanding of residual cell wall components and their role in the generation of foams.