ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Data Journal

Binary surfactant-polymer mixtures as potential PFAS replacements: Self-assembly probed by SANS

Abstract: Bioaccumulation of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as forever chemicals , in the environment and the human body, posing significant public health risks. Firefighting aqueous film-foaming foam (AFFF) represents a critical application, symbolic of high environmental and health impact within the broader PFAS crisis, with an urgent need for biodegradable alternatives. However, current PFAS alternatives, such as alkyl polyglucoside (APG) combined with FC1175-capstone, hydrolysed rice protein (HRP)/Fe complex foam, plant-based foam and thermal-responsive fluorine-free foam stabilised by Pluronic F127, have less-than-optimal properties and also limited economic viability. This study aims to systematically investigate binary surfactant-polymer mixtures consisting of: a) classic ionic and non-ionic surfactants to for surface tension reduction; combined with b) thermo-responsive polymers aimed to enable precise rheological control and enhanced foam stability under elevated temperatures (25, 45, 65, and 85 oC). The results will offer nanostructural insights into molecular organisation critical to alternative AFFF formulation. Ultimately, as part of an integrated approach, the SANS study will complement our plans for reflectivity study at the air-water interface, foam stability and foamability evaluation, underpinning the rational design of thermally responsive foams with tailored nanostructures, offering promising PFAS alternatives for firefighting applications.

Principal Investigator: Professor Wuge Briscoe
Experimenter: Mr Guangzhen Wang
Experimenter: Miss Jia He
Experimenter: Mr Samuel Leon
Experimenter: Miss Hongye Li
Experimenter: Miss Elena Venturelli
Experimenter: Dr Peixun Li
Local Contact: Dr Steven Parnell
Experimenter: Miss Holly Stockdale
Experimenter: Mr Tao Ma
Experimenter: Miss Chenlin Lu

DOI: 10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2610074

ISIS Experiment Number: RB2610074

Publisher: STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Data format: RAW/Nexus
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Data Citation

The recommended format for citing this dataset in a research publication is as:
[author], [date], [title], [publisher], [doi]

For Example:
Professor Wuge Briscoe et al; (2026): Binary surfactant-polymer mixtures as potential PFAS replacements: Self-assembly probed by SANS, STFC ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, https://doi.org/10.5286/ISIS.E.RB2610074

Data is released under the CC-BY-4.0 license.