Phase Behavior and Emulsion Stability of the Aot/Decane/ Water/NaCl System at Very Low Volume Fractions of Oil

TL;DR

This study revisits the phase behavior and emulsion stability of a decane/water/Aerosol-OT/salt system at very low oil volume fractions, revealing a maximum stability near the balance zone, contrary to common expectations.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the stability of low-oil-fraction emulsions, challenging previous assumptions about their behavior near the balance zone.

Findings

Maximum stability occurs near the balance zone.

Emulsions exhibit stability similar to previous studies.

Results contrast with common experience regarding stability location.

Abstract

The stability of a ternary system composed of decane/water/Aerosol-OT and salt is revisited. Phase diagrams and emulsions similar in composition to those previously studied by Hofman and Stein [Hofman, 1991] were made. Ac- cording to our results, and contrary to the common experience, these systems exhibit a maximum of stability very close to the balance zone.