Modern Aspects of Emulsion Science

Book excerpt: Emulsions occur either as end products or during the processing of products in various areas, including the food, agrochemical, pharmaceutical, paint & oil industries. Despite over one hundred years of research in the subject, however, a quantitative understanding of emulsions has been lacking. Modern Aspects of Emulsion Science presents a comprehensive description of the scientific principles in the field & the very latest advances in research in this important area of surface & colloid science. Topics covered include emulsion formation, type, stability (creaming, flocculation, ripening, coalescence), monodisperse & gel emulsions, & applications. Emphasis has been placed on relating the chemistry of the surfactant or protein adsorbed at the oil-water interface to the principles of the physics involved in the bulk emulsion property. The book has been written by leading experts in the field & covers both experimental & theoretical approaches. The only book in print on this topic, it will prove essential reading for graduate students & researchers in industry. Contents: Emulsions - Recent Advances in Understanding.- Emulsion Formation.- Emulsion Formation by Nucleation & Growth Mechanisms.- Emulsion Flocculation & Creaming.- Rheology of Emulsions - The Relationship to Structure & Stability.- Phase Inversion & Drop Formation in Agitated Liquid-Liquid Dispersions in the Presence of Nonionic Surfactants.- Coalescence in Emulsions.- Lifetime & Destruction of Concentrated Emulsions Undergoing Coalescence.- Molecular Diffusion in Emulsions & Emulsion Mixtures.- Interactions & Macroscopic Properties of Emulsions & Microemulsions.- Gel Emulsions - Relationship between Phase Behaviour & Formation.- Applications of Emulsions.- Subject Index.