A Fourier transform pulsed-gradient spin echo nuclear magnetic resonance self-diffusion study of microemulsions and the droplet size determination

Abstract

Self-diffusion of all components in two different microemulsions has been studied by the Fourier-transform pulsed-gradient spin echo 1H nuclear magnetic resonance technique. The analysis of hydrodynamic and direct droplet-droplet interactions in microemulsions allows the simultaneous application of the Stokes-Einstein equation for surfactant and oil. The result of this analysis is a simple relation connecting self-diffusion coefficients of components and the size of droplets. It is shown that because of partial solubilization of water in oil the droplet radius can be significantly different from the expected radius.