Phisico-chemical compatibility of non-ionic surfactants and mineral oils as a criterion for the formation of stable emulsions of direct type

Abstract

The emulsifiability of nonionic surfactants towards mineral oils is discussed. It was established that the emulsifiability of ethoxylated alkylphenols/alkyphenol ethoxylates (APEOs) as their compatibility with mineral oils (MOs) depend on the degree of ethoxylation and the chemical character of oil. The emulsifiability of APEOs as emulsifiers of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions can be expressed through the relationship of the water number (WN) of APEO to the (WN) of MO. This relationship assists the selection of the most suitable pair (emulsifier-oil) for a stable o/w emulsion formation. Keywords: surfactants; hydrophile-lipophile balance; alkylphenol ethoxylates; emulsifier; water number; mineral oils; oil-in-water emulsions; emulsifiability.