Exchange energy parameters, surfactants

The interfacial tension y is an important parameter describing the work needed to expand the interface. As one would imagine, a high interfacial tension impedes the transfer of the droplets across the oil-water interface and therefore raises the energy required to pass the interface. In addition, a surfactant film is needed to stabilize the droplets and to reduce exchange and diffusion processes between both phases (Fig. 1). An increased surface concentration of surfactants after adsorption generally tends to lower interfacial tension (Fig. 3). 

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