Particle size distribution emulsification method

The drawbacks of the W/O emulsification method include the use of large amounts of oils as the external phase, which must be removed by washing with organic solvents, heat stability problems of drugs, possible interactions of the cross-linking agent with the drug, and, as with all nanoparticles prepared by emulsification techniques, a fairly broad particle size distribution. 

Figure 1. The effect of emulsification method on particle size distribution.

Quasi-elastic light scattering is an excellent technique for studying the formation and stability of submicrometer emulsions. Improvements in the methods of quasi-elastic light scattering data acquisition and analysis that enable full particle-size distribution studies of sub-micrometer emulsion systems are discussed. Using several oil/water emulsion systems as examples, we demonstrate the ability of these techniques to determine the effect of emulsifier concentration on the particle-size distribution produced by an inversion method of emulsification. Some of the benefits of obtaining the full distribution are also discussed. 

Classification of the mesophase pitch can therefore help to control the particle size distribution of the MCMB. The crucial points of this emulsification method are process control and separation of the MCMB from the mixture. 

In a novel process, FIPI was also applied to the emulsiflcation of polymer melts in water, thus providing an alternative method to emulsion polymerization for the production of latexes. " " In fact, some thermoplastic melts (such as polyethylene) cannot be obtained through the emulsion polymerization route hence, the present technique is an example of PI providing a novel product form. To achieve the emulsiflcation of thermoplastics, it is necessary to operate near or above 100°C and at elevated pressures, which necessitates the use of polymer processing equipment fitted with a MFCS mixer at the outlet. It was found that molecular surfactants could not be used to obtain the initial (water-in-polymer melt) emulsion. Instead, hydrophobically modified water-soluble polymers were used as the surface active material. After the phase inversion in the MFCS mixer, the resulting emulsion was diluted to the level required. This also freezes the molten latexes. The important attributes of FIPI emulsification include a low level of surfactant use, low temperature processing, production of submicrometer particles with a narrow size distribution, and production of novel products. 

Nanoparticle fabrication includes methods such as solvent evaporation, spontaneous emulsification, solvent diffusion, salting out/emulsification diffusion, and polymerization techniques [24]. The synthesis method can greatly impact the particle s physical, chemical, and biological properties and the dispersion and stability of the particles, which are important considerations in biomedical applications. The nanoparticle size and shape is of great importance because the internalization, circulation, distribution, and targeting aspects of the system can be affected by these characteristics [5]. 

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