Complex layering observed in high internal phase emulsions at a silicon surface by neutron reflectometry

The neutron reflectivity profiles from the interface between silicon and aqueous phase-in-oil high internal phase emulsions of steadily increasing surfactant hydrophilicity, are reported for two isotopic contrasts for each surfactant. Layered models are required to fit the structured reflectivity profiles that demonstrate that the oxidised top layer of the silicon is always covered by a surfactant monolayer. Interposed between the surfactant monolayer and the bulk emulsion is a layer of oil--a geometric effect caused by reorganisation of the aqueous droplets. As the surfactant hydrophilicity increases, alternating aqueous and oil+surfactant layers are inserted between this topmost oil layer and the oxide attached surfactant monolayer. The resulting structures have compositions and layer spacings suggestive of sections from lamellar phases. This increase in layer ordering with increasing surfactant hydrophilicity is expected. The bulk emulsions are observed to exhibit lamellar or sponge phases increasingly as surfactant hydrophilicity increases.