The Formation of Middle-Phase Microemulsions of Polar Oils

Middle-phase microemulsions exhibit the unique properties of an ultra-low interfacial tension and a bicontinuous structure formed from the water and oil components. New developments exploiting these properties are described. In designing such systems, it is important that the spontaneous transition of the oil droplets from Winsor II through Winsor III to the Winsor I state is brought about by diffusion or chemical reaction. The selection of the hydrophobic and lipophilic surfactants is critical when low-energy emulsification systems for highly polar oils are being developed.