Polyethylene oxide (PEO) forms extremely long polymer chains, giving the bubble film an elasticity that's tough to match. Many record-breaking recipes rely on it. Its most accessible source is J-Lube, a veterinary lubricant powder with a high PEO content.
A Little Goes a Long Way
PEO is so potent it's used in tiny amounts — a pinch too much and the mix turns slimy and unworkable. It's best prepared as a concentrated stock and added drop by drop. It's also sensitive to degradation over time and with light exposure.
It performs best blended with a natural polymer like guar gum: the combination (see polydispersity) is more stable and forgiving than PEO on its own.