Reaction between stearic acid and calcium ions at the air/water interface using surface viscometry. Part 2.—Mixed films of octadecanol and stearic acid

Abstract

Measurements have been made of the force-area characteristics, surface potentials and surface viscosities of mixed films of octadecanol and stearic acid spread on M/2000 Calcium chloride. The stearic acid portion of the film reacts to form calcium stearate, the reaction obeying ⅔-order kinetics. The octadecanol behaves practically as an inert diluent. The free energy of activation of viscous flow of calcium stearate is about 25 kcal mole^–1.