Editing Decontamination foam (section)

== Composition ==
The composition of decontamination foams is essentially water and a surfactant, creating an [[Firefighting foam#Synthetic foams|aqueous film forming foam]] that various reactive chemicals are then added, diminishing the amount of contaminants adhering to a surface and forming less hazardous products. Common reactants are [[hydrogen peroxide]] and quaternary ammonium complexes. Decon foam often comes in multiple bottles, that, when mixed, combine to form the decontamination solution. The bottles should be kept separate until needed as the foam may begin to lose effectiveness after mixing. After these bottles are mixed together, the foam can be applied by spraying it on a contaminated area or by manual application.

[[Solvent|Solvent-based]] decontaminants work well on permeable [[Polymer|polymers]] and are made to avoid corrosion, but can possibly alter polymer or plastic surfaces permanently. On the other hand, [[Aqueous solution|aqueous-based]] decontaminants are better with [[Chemical polarity|polar]] surfaces like concrete, but have the potential to [[Corrosion|corrode]] surfaces.<ref name=":2" /> For decontamination foam to be successful, it is important to stabilize the foam as this will increase its efficiency. Modifying the surface of [[Silicon dioxide|silica]] [[Nanoparticle|nanoparticles]] to a certain level has been found to increase stability of the foam.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Sonn|first1=Jong Suk|last2=Lee|first2=Ju Yeon|last3=Jo|first3=Seon Hui|last4=Yoon|first4=In-Ho|last5=Jung|first5=Chong-Hun|last6=Lim|first6=Jong Choo|date=2018|title=Effect of surface modification of silica nanoparticles by silane coupling agent on decontamination foam stability|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306454916310349|journal=Annals of Nuclear Energy|language=en|volume=114|pages=11–18|doi=10.1016/j.anucene.2017.12.007|bibcode=2018AnNuE.114...11S |issn=0306-4549|url-access=subscription}}</ref>