Flocculation of sterically stabilised emulsions

The above increase in yield value indicated flocculation of the emulsion, and this was confirmed with optical microscopy. The smaller increase in yield value below 0.8 mol dm NaCl was indicative of weak flocculation, and this could be confirmed by a redispersion of the emulsion by gently shaking. Above 0.8 mol dm NaCl, the flocculation was strong and irreversible, and in this case the solvency of the medium for the PEO chains became poor, resulting in incipient flocculation. 

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Rg. 6.30. Schematic representation of flocculation of sterically stabilised emulsions. 

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