Applications and characterization of emulsions

The purpose of an emulsion is often to treat a surface of some kind, e.g. a floor, human skin or a plant. 

Introduction to Applied Colloid and Surface Chemistry, First Edition. Georgios M. Kontogeorgis and S0ren Kiil. 2016 John Wiley Sons, Ltd. Published 2016 by John Wiley Sons, Ltd. 

Emulsions are unstable liquid-liquid systems that will eventually phase separate. They need moderate amounts of surfactants for their stabilization. On the other hand, the so-called microemulsions require 

Emulsions are colloidal systems and, thus, are unstable. They require surfactants (large amoimts in the case of microemulsions) to reduce the interfacial tension and achieve stabilization. The work, W, required to make an emulsion is given by  

Example 12.1. Estimation of the work required to make an emulsion. 

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