Electrosteric Stabilization of Oil-in-Water Emulsions by Hydrophobically Modified Poly(acrylic acid) Thickeners
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-13-1991
Department
Polymers and High Performance Materials
Abstract
Hydrophobic modification of poly(acrylic acid) thickeners yields products that are useful as primary emulsifiers for oil-in-water systems. The resulting emulsions are stable for years, but they break and coalesce almost instantly when a sufficient concentration of electrolyte is introduced into the aqueous phase. The effect of electrolytes on these electrosterically stabilized emulsions is complex. The polymer is anchored to the oil droplet by hydrophobic interaction. Such anchoring should theoretically be strengthened by the presence of water-structure-enhancing electrolytes. On the other hand, coulombic interaction between the electrolyte and the polyelectrolyte causes shrinkage of the overall polyelectrolyte configuration and this should theoretically make coalescence more likely.
Publication Title
ACS Symposium Series
Volume
462
First Page
101
Last Page
120
Recommended Citation
Lochhead, R. Y.
(1991). Electrosteric Stabilization of Oil-in-Water Emulsions by Hydrophobically Modified Poly(acrylic acid) Thickeners. ACS Symposium Series, 462, 101-120.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/16134