Small-angle neutron scattering and rheological analyses of nanoemulsion for cosmetics

A stable nanoemulsion consisting of nanometer-sized oil droplets in water having a self-standing capability was prepared by high-pressure emulsification. Rheological measurements show that the nanoemulsion has a high viscosity and a yield stress. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) revealed the presence of an ordered crystal-like lattice structure in addition to spherical domains with a diameter of ca. 30 nm. Nonfluidity of nanoemulsion is ascribed to crystal-like lattice structure of nanodroplets. A mixed solution of 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose and the nanoemulsion has shear-thickening behavior (shear-induced gelation). Real-time SANS measurements with a Couette geometry as a function of shear rate (Rheo-SANS) revealed that a possible mechanism of gelation was proposed from the viewpoint of shear-induced percolation transition. Furthermore, mixtures of the nanoemulsion and poly(acrylic acid) solutions were opaque and kept the same interdomain distance and high viscosity. We estimated that it had phase-separated structure between nanoemulsion phase and poly(acrylic acid) solution phase. (author)