Miniemulsion formation by transitional inversion

Very fine emulsions with droplet size in the sub-micron range, often called miniemulsions, are prepared by the moderate (magnetic) stirring of a system undergoing a dynamic transitional inversion driven by a continuous change in physico-chemical formulation there temperature). Near optimum formulation for three-phase systems, the ultralow interfacial tension favors the drop breaking rate, and fine emulsions can be made. However, this region is also known for its rapid coalescence rate. Thus, a high enough stability can be attained only by shifting the formulation away from optimum as soon as the emulsion is made. Moreover, a rapid change in formulation through the three-phase region also results in a separation phenomenon that can be harnessed to produce ultra fine droplets. The phase behavior of surfactant-oil-water systems and emulsion properties (type, droplet size and stability) are studied as a function of surfactant concentration (2 wt.% and 6 wt.%), for two different nonionic surfactants (polyoxyethylene triterbutyl ethers and sorbitan derivatives) with HLB ranging from 4 to 16. Kerosene and paraffin oil are used as oil phases. The transitional inversion form W/O to O/W is induced by a rapid cooling of the stirred systems from above to below the optimum temperature for three-phase behavior. Miniemulsions are attained when the surfactant concentration is high enough, and when the temperature quenching span covers an appropriate range related to phase behavior.