Phase III Summing Up

The problem of obtaining zero interfacial tension is also one of formulation, i.e., choosing one or more surfactant molecules with the right solubilities relative to the two phases. These must be such as to induce a high degree of adsorption at the interface (rather than a micellar solubilisation in one of the solvents), by creating a high film pressure. Box III, entitled Enhanced Petroleum Recovery, sums up the industrial research which led to discovery of microemulsions. 

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