Emulsions
Emulsions are colloidal solution in which a liquid is dispersed in an
another liquid.
Generally there are two types of emulsions.
(i) Oil
in water (O/W) (ii) Water
in oil (W/O)
Example:
Milk is example of the oil in water type emulsion.
Stiff greases are emulsion of water in oil i.e. water dispersed in
lubricating oil.
The process of preparation of emulsion by the dispersal of one liquid in
another liquid is called Emulsification.
A colloid mill can be used as a homogeniser to mix the two liquid. To
have a stable emulsion a small amount of emulsifier or emulsification agent is
added.
Several types of emulsifiers are known.
i. Most of the lyophillic colloids also act as
emulsifiers. Example: glue, gelatine.
ii. Long chain compounds with polar groups like
soap and sulphonic acids.
iii. Insoluble powders like clay and lamp black also act as emulsifiers.
The two types of emulsions can be identified by the following tests.
(i) Dye test:
A small amount of dye soluble in oil is added to the emulsion. The
emulsion is shaken well. The aqueous emulsion will not take the colour whereas
oily emulsion will take up the colour of the dye.
(ii) Viscosity test
Viscosity of the emulsion is determined by experiments. Oily emulsions
will have higher value than aqueous emulsion.
(iii) Conductivity test
Conductivity of aqueous emulsions are always higher than oily emulsions.
(iv) Spreading test
Oily emulsions spread readily than aqueous emulsion when spread on an
oily surface.
Emulsion can be separated into two separate layers. The process is
called Deemulsification.
• Distilling of one component
• Adding an electrolyte to destroy the charge.
• Destroying the emulsifier using chemical methods.
• Using solvent extraction to remove one component.
• By freezing one of the components.
• By applying centrifugal force.
• Adding dehydrating agents for water in oil (W/O) type.
• Using ultrasonic waves.
• Heating at high pressures.
The change of W/O emulsion into O/W emulsion is called inversion of
phases.
An oil in water emulsion containing potassium soap as emulsifying agent
can be converted into water in oil emulsion by adding CaCl2 or AlCl3.
The mechanism of inversion is in the recent developments of research.
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