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Highly water dilutable microemulsions: a structural study

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Abstract

Highly aqueous dilutable microemulsions based on biocompatible materials were developed and structurally investigated. Phase diagrams were constructed for systems consisting of nonionic Tweens (20, 40, and blends of them), R-(+)-limonene, ethanol, water, and propylene glycol. The obtained phase diagrams reveal the formation of highly aqueous dilutable microemulsions along certain dilution lines in the surfactant-rich region. Two phase transitions of the investigated systems were detected by conductivity measurements, from water in oil (w/o) to bicontinuous and to the oil in water (o/w), without phase separation. Interfacial properties and the dynamic structure of the surfactant monolayer were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. It was observed that the mobility of the spin probe and the rigidity of the membrane are affected by increasing aqueous content and by the type of surfactant. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements were performed in o/w microemulsions for different aqueous content, and oil droplet diameters in the range of 8.2 to 17.4 nm were observed.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financed by the Greek Secretary of Research and Technology and VIORYL SA, Greece, within the frame of the common research project “Cooperation,” 09-ΣΥΝ-42-699. The EU COST action CM1101 is also thanked for offering the possibility to carry out useful discussions on the subject.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biology, Medicinal Chemistry and Biotechnology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 48, Vassileos Constantinou Ave., 11635, Athens, Greece

    A. Kalaitzaki, A. Xenakis & V. Papadimitriou

  2. MTM, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden

    A. Kalaitzaki & A. Xenakis

Authors
  1. A. Kalaitzaki
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  2. A. Xenakis
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  3. V. Papadimitriou
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. Papadimitriou.

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Figure SM1

Electrical conductivity of microemulsions as a function of aqueous phase in the absence of salt (DOCX 17 kb)

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Kalaitzaki, A., Xenakis, A. & Papadimitriou, V. Highly water dilutable microemulsions: a structural study. Colloid Polym Sci 293, 1111–1119 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-014-3496-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-014-3496-1

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