Inorganic particles (Al2O3, SiO2, etc) are in situ hydrophobized upon adsorption of short-chain amphiphilic molecules, can be used as porous foam stabilizers. We tailor the microstructure of particlestabilized wet foams; the foam air content,average bubble size, and bubble size distribution by changing the composition of the initial colloidal suspension. Wet foams featuring average bubble sizes between 30 and 300 μm and air contents between 45% and 90% were obtained by adjusting the amphiphile and particle concentration, and particle size in the initial suspension. The influence of these parameters on the porosity was satisfactorily described in terms of the combined effects of the contact angle and surface tension of the initial suspensions, directly affected by the amphiphile concentration.

Keywords: Porosity, Porous ceramics, Amphiphile concentration, Contact angle & Surface tension