Abstract
Influence of hydrophobic chain lengths of surfactant, co-surfactant, oil and different surfactant to co-surfactant ratios on phase behavior of Tween/alcohol/alkane/H2O was investigated with pseudo-ternary phase diagrams. The total areas of the microemulsion (ME) regions were determined. The largest ME region was formed when the ratio of surfactant: co-surfactant was 2:1 (w/w). The capacity for formation of MEs increased with an increase of hydrophobic chain length of the Tween, which was opposite to the trend for alkane (oil). N-butanol formed the largest ME region among the alcohols tested as co-surfactants. Sub-ME phases were identified by conductivity measurements. O/W MEs were observed when the water content was higher than 62-68%. The O/W sub-phase regions had significantly lower particle sizes and viscosities than either the W/O or bi-continuous sub-phases.
Recommended Citation
Zhong, F.; Xu, W.; Fu, T.; and Li, Y.
(2012)
"Preparation and characterization of functional compounds encapsulated microemulsion with nonionic surfactants,"
Journal of Food and Drug Analysis: Vol. 20
:
Iss.
1
, Article 31.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.38212/2224-6614.2097
