THE MINIEMULSIFICATION PROCESS - DIFFERENT FORM OF SPONTANEOUS EMULSIFICATION

The miniemulsification process involves the use of low concentrations of mixed emulsifier combinations of an ionic surfactant (e. g. sodium lauryl sulfate) and a cosurfactant (e. g. long-chain fatty alcohol-cetyl alcohol). The product is an oil-in-water miniemulsion with an average droplet diameter of 100-400 nm, and excellent shelf stability. The dominant presence of liquid crystals in the aqueous mixed emulsifier system, under conditions of the miniemulsification process, was confirmed by consideration of phase diagrams, conductivity and birefringence studies. Unexpectedly, interfacial tension studies showed relatively high values of 5-15 dyn cm** minus **1.