foam fractionation

Foam fractionation is a separation technique in chemistry that utilizes foams to isolate specific molecular species. This method relies on the principle of adsorption, where substances attach to gas bubbles or the interface between gas and liquid.1

When a gas, such as air, is bubbled through a liquid containing dissolved substances like soaps or detergents, a foam is created. The foam, which consists of gas bubbles dispersed in the liquid, can then be collected. This collection process effectively concentrates the dissolved substances that have adsorbed onto the foam. Foam fractionation is particularly useful for separating and purifying molecular components from a solution.12