Synergistic Mechanisms of Bio-Based Polymers and Silica Nanoparticles in Foam-Based Biomass Dust Suppression: Experiments and MD Simulations

Abstract Dust explosions in biomass processing motivate the development of eco-friendly foam dust suppressants. This work formulates foams comprising zwitterionic surfactants, bio-based polymers (CMC, SA), and SiO2 nanoparticles and correlates macroscopic wetting, drainage, and dust penetration with molecular dynamics simulations. CMC/OA-12 and SA/BS-12 show the lowest contact angles, the longest foam half-life, and improved pine dust penetration relative to surfactant-only foams. SiO2 (0.3 wt %) maximizes half-life via a Pickering-type mechanism, whereas higher loadings promote agglomeration and reduce foam stability. MD simulations indicate strong electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions among polymers, surfactants, and cellulose surfaces, thereby rationalizing enhanced film thickness and water retention.