Thermodynamically stable emulsions. Part 1. Thermodynamic background

Journal Article · Thu Mar 15 04:00:00 EST 1979 · J. Colloid Interface Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6766556

Bron, J; Okazawa, T

The stability of emulsified systems is discussed in terms of thermodynamics, taking into consideration that interfacial tension, Laplace's pressure, interfacial area, and droplet size are dependent on composition variables. It is shown that if the interfacial tension between 2 bulk phases is positive, then the emulsified state is unstable; whereas, an imaginary negative interfacial tension of a hypothetical planar interface causes a spontaneous expansion of the interfacial area, resulting in an emulsification of one bulk phase. This emulsification proceeds until the interfacial tension of the surface of the emulsified droplets becomes zero. Hence, an interfacial tension at observational conditions should always be positive. 13 references.

• OSTI ID: 6766556
• Journal Information: J. Colloid Interface Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Colloid Interface Sci.; (United States) Vol. 69:1; ISSN JCISA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400301 -- Organic Chemistry-- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties-- (-1987)
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
EMULSIFICATION
EMULSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INTERFACES
MICROEMULSION FLOODING
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
PETROLEUM
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
STABILITY
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SURFACE TENSION
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES