Spontaneous emulsification of alkyl ketene dimer

A screening method using factorial design has been used to arrive at a workable formulation for self-emulsification of alkyl ketene dimer, AKD, The enulsification was performed at 60degreesC which is above the melting temperature of the AKD, Good results were obtained with a combination of calcium dodecylbenzene sulphonate and an alcohol ethoxylate as surfactants and a small amount of dodecanol as cosurfactant, The three amphiphilic compounds were dissolved in the AKD and the mixture was added to the aqueous phase under gentle stirring, The mechanisim behind the easy formation of the AKD-in-water emulsion is discussed.