Microemulsions are known for their versatile properties widely utilized in fundamental research and industrial applications. They are thermodynamically stable mixtures structured on a colloidal length scale with an amphiphilic film separating water- and oil-rich domains. However, recent studies claim the existence of “surfactant-free microemulsions,” which exhibit structures on a molecular length scale. By means of systematic phase behavior and scattering experiments, this dissertation provides deep insights into the pathway from simple solutions to weakly and strongly structured microemulsions. With bulk-contrast SANS, the scattering behavior of a simple solution system made of water, cyclohexane, 1- and 2-propanol was found to be dominated by critical composition fluctuations (Ornstein-Zernike). Further analysis of critical phenomena revealed the critical exponent doubling that follows the scaling law γ ~ “2” ν. On the other hand, weak scattering signals described with a new model were detected in the film-contrast SANS data due to the nearby tricritical point (TCP). After crossing the TCP, the formation of well-defined amphiphilic films was demonstrated by increasing the amphiphilicity of the amphiphile. Subsequently, the influence of modifications of the amphiphilic film by adding novel diblock polymers was studied. As a result, enhanced efficiency and strengthened structural ordering were achieved in typical alkane microemulsions and novel CO2 microemulsions. Finally, the properties of industry-relevant microemulsions were investigated in two application-oriented projects. One project focused on the phase behavior and the microstructure of polyol-rich CO2 microemulsions, which can be used for the polyurethane (PU) foam production with cell sizes of a few micrometers. The other project focused on the formulation of optimum microemulsions stabilized by highly efficient extended surfactants. The experimental parameters from phase behavior studies helped determine the coefficients of the HLD equation, which can serve as a prediction tool for tackling a wide variety of formulation problems. Above all, this doctoral dissertation elucidated the pathway toward structured microemulsions and demonstrated versatile aspects of microemulsions’ applications.

The effective use of microemulsions has increased dramatically during the past few decades as major industrial applications have expanded in a variety of fields. Microemulsions: Properties and Applications provides a complete and systematic assessment of all topics affecting microemulsion performance and discusses the fundamental characteristics, t

An authoritative and comprehensive reference relevant to all scientists and engineers in the field. This encyclopedia not only helps chemistry, materials science and physics researchers to understand the principles, but also provides practicing engineers with the necessary information for implementing practical applications, such as Food and agrochemicals Polymers and ceramics Cosmetics and detergents Paints and coatings Pharmaceuticals and drug delivery In addition, the encyclopedia is an important reference for industrial chemists and chemical engineers faced with a multitude of industrial systems of a colloidal nature. As wide as the range of applications that colloid and interface science has is the range of scientific disciplines that contribute to research and development in this field. These encompass chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics as well as nanoscience and nanotechnology. The encyclopedia provides easy-to-digest information for meeting these interdisciplinary challenges. While providing numerous concise definitions of key terms, the encyclopedia also features more than forty in-depth essays on topics ranging from Agrochemical Formulations to Zeta Potential. All entries are cross-referenced and include selected references to original literature as well as synonyms.

Beginning with P.A. Winsor's fundamental hypothesis on a natural interfacial curvature depending on the values of the formulation variables, this unique book shows scientists how to understand the intrinsic structure of these complex systems and their corresponding physical properties... predict how a change in one formulation variable (surfactant structure, oil structure, aqueous phase composition, temperature, etc.) will modify the microemulsion... and systematically formulate microemulsions for individual applications.This book provides a thermodynamic analysis supporting the existence of natural interfacial curvature... compares the behavior of commercial surfactant mixtures and pure isomeric surfactant molecules in order to point out differences and similarities highly significant for various uses... explains how micelles can evolve smoothly and continuously toward solutions containing large quantities of oil and water... gives procedures for fixing quantitative relationships among formulation variables... plus much more.Illustrated with more than 200 diagrams, tables, and photographs, and completely referenced, this superb volume is essential reading for surfactant, colloid, and physical chemists in both academe and industry, as well as chemical engineers, biotechnologists, and petroleum engineers.Contents: 1. The R-Ratio. 2. Aqueous solutions containing amphiphiles. 3. Nonpolar solutions containing amphiphiles. 4. The phase behavior and properties of solutions containing amphiphiles, organic liquids, and water: micellar solutions. 5. Methods for promoting phase changes. 6. Compensating changes between formulation variables. 7. Solubilization. 8. Thermodynamics of solubilized systems.

Demonstrating methods for overcoming stability issues in paints, wax dispersions, cosmetics, food products, and other industrial applications, this reference probes theoretical and practical issues surrounding microemulsion science and technology. Featuring the work of 51 international experts and containing almost 1000 instructive tables, equations, and illustrations, this book reviews the performance of, and prospects for, experimental methods such as X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), light scattering, small angle neutron scattering, viscosimetry, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to characterize various aspects of the dispersed phase of microemulsions.