Journal of Physical Chemistry, Vol.100, No.26, 11019-11028, 1996
Chemical and Physical Aspects of Macroemulsions Stabilized by Interfacial Colloids
Here we discuss macroemulsions stabilized by interfacial colloidal films, in terms of the basic processes of colloid nucleation, colloid flocculation, and assembly in interfacial films. By monitoring the droplet-diameter, we present the effect of a variety of surfactants, additives, and organic solvents, as well as the amount of the colloid, and that of the continuous and the dispersed liquid phases. A quantitative analysis explains the experimental results and enables us to estimate the film thickness and the flee size. A modified hydrophilic/lyophilic balance scale accounts for the role of the surfactants. It is demonstrated that monitoring the droplet size on the submillimeter scale is a powerful tool in the investigation of colloid processes on the nanometer scale and colloid flocculation in the micrometer and submicrometer scales.