Lab (2)

Screening the wettability

effect of different
surfactants
 Introduction
Wetting agent: a chemical agent capable of reducing the surface tension
of a liquid in which it is dissolved.
The wetting agent act by lowering the contact angle and displace an air
phase at the surface and replace it with the liquid phase.
Surface tension: depends on the forces of attraction between the
particles within the given liquid and upon the gas, solid, or liquid in
contact with it.
Surface tension allows water to resist an external force. For example:
Floating of some objects on the surface of water, even though they are
denser than water. The ability of some insects to run on the water
surface
Adhesion is the attraction force between the liquid molecules and the solid surface.

Cohesion is the attraction force between the molecules of the same type.
Compare the wetting properties of two different surfactants and study the effect of
surfactant concentration on the wetting power.
0.2 g 0.2 g 0.2 g
hydrophobic hydrophobic hydrophobic
powder powder powder

a b c

SLS aqueous T80 aqueous Water

solution solution
(0.5%) w/w (0.5%) w/w (Control)
 Procedure

1. Three conical measures were used for wettability study namely; a: 0.5% aqueous solution of
SLS, b: 0.5% aqueous solution of SLS & c: water only (control).
2. Sprinkle equal weight of hydrophobic powder (e.g. sulpher) into three conical measures
3. Start the stop watch to record time (in sec) required for all powder to sink down in medium.
4. The recorded time represents “sinking time” or “wetting time” where it is described as the time
required for complete wetting of powder by SAA (Surfactant).
5. The shorter sinking or wetting time indicates more wetting ability for SAA