Study on thermal induced phase inversion of concentrated O/W emulsions stabilized by various tween emulsifiers

Abstract

Thermal induced phase inversion of concentrated oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by various fatty acid polyoxyethylene esters of sorbitan (Tween 21, Tween 61, Tween 65, Tween 80 and Tween 81) has been studied. Phase inversion temperature (PIT) was determined by differential thermal analysis and the changes in internal structure of emulsions caused by heating were followed microscopically. The PITS obtained were dependent on the kind of Tween. When the emulsions were stabilized by Tween 65, the PIT also depended on whether the emulsifier was dissolved in water or in oil phase or in the both. Microscopic examination of the emulsions during heating showed that the appearance of water droplets within the oil drops, i.e. the development of a multiphase (W/O/W) emulsion structure precedes phase inversion. © 1980 Dr. Dietrich Steinkopff Verlag.