Effects of surfactants on subcooled pool boiling characteristics: An experimental study

•The effects of typical surfactants on subcooled pool boiling heat transfer are investigated.•The impacts of surfactant on boiling depend on its type, concentration and thermal load.•Tween20 decreases the wall superheat by up to 10.4 °C at appropriate heat flux.•Span20 enhances the boiling when its concentration is lower than critical micelle concentration.