Effects of Functional Group of Non-Ionic Surfactants on the Stability of Emulsion

Three mixed blend non-ionic surfactants: fatty acid polyethoxylated (POE) (20), POE (20) sorbitan monooleate (or Tween 80) and fatty alcohol POE (25) bounded by 20-25 moles of ethylene oxides (EO) mixed with Laureth-1 were choose to analyse their different functional group and its properties to the emulsion. The oil phase used is palm methyl ester C12-18. The emulsification process was carried out at 52±2 degree Celsius by using high speed homogeniser. Emulsifying properties were investigated through a hydrophyl-lipophyl balance (HLB) value range from HLB 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. The formation and stability of the emulsions were characterized through mean droplet size, zeta potential and surface tension. This study shows blend fatty alcohol POE (25EO) with HLB 11±1 shows optimum mean droplet size 1.970 μm to 2.099 μm, stable zeta potential at -37.91 mV to -40.8 mV and low surface tension value at 31.186 mN/ m to 32.865 mN/ m. (author)