Preparation and analysis of uniform emulsion droplets using SPG membrane emulsification technique

A new technique for the preparation of uniform emulsion droplets using Shir asu porous glass (SPG) membranes was evaluated. The hydrophobicity of a dis persion phase and the concentration of the mixed surfactant, by which the i nterfacial tension between the continuous phase and the dispersion phase wa s changed, significantly affected the droplet size and size distribution. F rom the point of view that the difference in the interfacial energy affects the characteristics of the droplets, the effect of wettability of the disp ersion phase on the thin layer of the continuous phase on the membrane surf ace was investigated by measuring the contact angle. It is understood that monodispersity of the droplets is controlled by the wettability of the disp ersion phase for the continuous phase in contact with the SFG membrane. The droplet profiles at the initial stage and the final release shown in the s chematic diagrams corresponded to the value of adhesional work as a scale o f the wettability. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.