STABILITY OF WATER-IN-OIL EMULSIONS OF ACRYLAMIDE

The colloid-chemical properties of emulsifiers of the homologous series consisting of Span 20, 40, 60, and 80, as well as Tween 80, and the influence of the nature of the organic solvent on the stability and type of the emulsions of aqueous solutions of acrylamide formed have been stuided. It has been found that acrylamide displays surface activity and lowers the surface tension. Emulsions of a multiple type form in toluene, heptane, and cyclohexane in the presence of the surfactants studied. The type of emulsion depends on the concentration of acrylamide in the aqueous phase. The stability of the emulsions can be increased significantly by inducing the directed mass transfer of the emulsifier through the phase boundary, as well as by using a mixture of emulsifiers with different values of the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB).