SURFACTANT-POLYMER INTERACTIONS IN SOAP FILMS

We present a preliminary account of an experimental study of the influ ence of nonionic polymers on the draining process and thickness of fre ely suspended vertical soap films. We studied films of both cationic a nd anionic surfactants. While the presence of a polymer leads to a mon otonous reduction in thickness with concentration in the former case, the behavior in the latter is very different: an increase in polymer c oncentration leads to an increase in thickness of black films and to t heir eventual loss of stability through disruption of micellar stratif ication.