Utilization of Different Emulsifying Agents in the Preparation and Stabilization of Emulsions

Abstract

The ratio of emu lsify ing agents used to achieve stability is very important. In th is study effect of surfactant HLB and concentration on the emulsion stability were investigated. The time required for the two liquids to separate, creaming volume and microscopic observation were used to assess the emulsion stability. Emu lsifiers used in this study are based on their chemical structures and include synthetic, natural and finely dispersed solid particles emulsifiers. It was observed that the optimal surfactant concentration for oil/ water emulsion long-term stability were 20% wt/vol. soap in the oil phase and 0.1% wt/vol. detergent in the continuous phase. Higher concentration of soap had a destructive effect on oil/water emu lsion stability wh ich correlated with the observation that interfacial film strength at the oil/water interface decreases as the detergent concentration increases. Methanol added to the inner aqueous phase exerted an osmotic pressure that caused diffusion of o il into aqueous phase and increased oil/water emulsion v iscosity through an increase in the volume fraction of the primary oil/water emu lsion. These types of viscosity increase impose a destabilization effect because of the likelihood of rupture of the outer and continuous phase droplets.