SURFACE ACTIVITY OF UREA

The effects of high concentrations of urea to increase surface pressure and alter surface potentials of stearic and palmitic acid monolayers were examined at temperatures between 15° and 40°C. Results of the investigation show that penetration of urea into an interfacial region depends upon the presence of molecules at the interface, where dipole-dipole interactions with the urea can occur. Such interactions allow the concentration of urea to increase to equal the bulk concentration. In the absence of such molecules urea is desorbed from the interface. © 1969.