SOLUBILIZATION, MICROEMULSIONS AND SURFACE CHEMISTRY OF ETHYL STEARATE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF A NONIONIC EMULSIFIER

ABSTRACT

The solubilization limit of ethyl stearate in aqueous solutions of the nonionic emulsifier Teric X10 was determined precisely by measurements of the density of the aqueous layer. Interfacial tensions were measured in order to gain some information concerning ageing effects and the behaviour of various species at the interface.

A distinction was drawn between those systems occurring below the solubilization limit which are thermodynamically - stable microemulsions and include normal micellar systems, in the presence or absence of cosurfactant; and systems above the solubilization limit which are kinetically - stable microemulsions (miniemulsions) and typically are coarse emulsions. Systems above the solubilization limit achieve thermodynamic equilibrium by separating into two phases.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christopher J. Lyons

Present address : R & D, Dulux Australia, P.O. Box 60, Clayton, Victoria, Australia, 3168

Brian P. Moore

Present address: Division of Materials Science and Technology,CSIRO, Locked Bag 33, Normanby Road, Clayton,Victoria, Australia, 3168

Ivan R. Wilson

To whom correspondence should be addressed