Relative Stabilizing Effects of Several High Molecular Weight Polymers on the Stability of a 2 Percent Hexadecane in Water Emulsion

The stability characteristics of a 2 percent hexadecane in water emulsion containing 0.09 percent dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) were investigated. Size distribution analyses of the emulsified hexadecane particles within the diameter range of 1–25μ were made over an extended time. The volume concentrations of the emulsified oil in this diameter range were calculated. The mass median, the number median, the volume surface, and the arithmetic mean diameters were also calculated. The data obtained established that the changes in particle-size distribution observed were largely the result of coalescence. This system was then employed as a standard to evaluate the effectiveness of methylcellulose, 25 cps., polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyoxyethylene glycol 6000 in retarding the degree and rate of coalescence of this emulsion. It is suggested that strongly hydrated films at the oil-water interface form effective barriers to coalescence.