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Theory of microemulsions

Conference · · ACS Symp. Ser.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5666401
A microemulsion can be described as a 3-phase system of oil, water, and interphase in thermodynamic equilibrium. Its formation has been ascribed to the spontaneous curvature of the interphase, dispersing one bulk phase in the other in the form of microdroplets. A physical model to illustrate this mechanism viewed the stress of different, lateral 2-dimensional pressures among the polar heads and nonpolar tails of the molecular tenants of a flat interphase as acting against lower tensions at each of its sides to expand the areas there until the lateral pressures become equal in the curved interphase. At this point, the total 2-dimensional pressure is just balanced by the tension tending to shrink the interfacial area, i.e., the interfacial tension becomes zero. It is now proposed that a microemulsion results from the liquefying influence of a certain ratio of alcohol to soap or nonionic emulsifier in the interphase which triggers the collapse of the soft ice structure in the aqueous phase adjacent to it. This allows bulk-phase water molecules to flow among the heads of the interphase tenants and oil phase molecules to penetrate the tails. Under these circumstances, the direction and magnitude of interphase curvature depends upon the relative degree of penetration of the interphase by bulk-phase molecules.
Research Organization:
Lever Brothers Corp
OSTI ID:
5666401
Report Number(s):
CONF-710913-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: ACS Symp. Ser.; (United States) Journal Volume: COLL62
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English