Adsorption Properties of C10E8 at Water/Hexane Interface Investigated Onboard STS-107, by the FAST Facility

The dynamic adsorption properties of a non-ionic surfactant C10E8 at the water-hexane interface have been investigated in microgravity using FAST (Facility for Adsorption and Surface Tension studies) onboard the Shuttle STS-107. To obtain a complete characterisation of such model system, the Capillary Pressure tensiometer implemented in the facility has been used with different experimental methodology allowing different aspects of adsorption dynamics to be investigated. Theoretical models specifically developed have been used for the data interpretation allowing the characterisation of the adsorption mechanisms.