Abstract
We present a theoretical analysis of a model nucleation process where an oil phase separates out from a droplet microemulsion phase. We consider a homogeneous nucleation where aggregate growth occurs through addition of monomers. The nucleus is formed by the growth of an already existing microemulsion droplet. On the basis of previous equilibrium studies of the microemulsions of the same system we can be confident about the accuracy of the description of free energy changes during nucleation. Using the constraints of constant hydrocarbon volume and aggregate area, the change in curvature free energy is determined as an oil drop is nucleated rather than the change in surface free energy, as in a conventional nucleation theory. We obtain a simple analytical expression for the barrier which has the feature that it only exists in a finite parameter range. In the particular system that we have studied experimentally a two-phase system of microemulsion plus excess oil is reached through a temperature quench and...
Published Version
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