Synergistic effect of Laponite RD and oil soluble surfactant in stabilization of miniemulsions

Laponite RD was used in combination with the oil soluble surfactant dimethyl-di(hydrogenated tallow)ammonium iodide (2M2HT) for the stabilization of oil-in-water (o/w) miniemulsions. The 2M2HT promoted the adsorption of the Laponite RD at the oil–water interface. Either hexadecane or a mixture of hexadecane and heptane was used as the oil phase. Stable o/w miniemulsions were obtained with a droplet size of 225–300 nm, with mostly a monomodal droplet size distribution. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that nanocapsules were formed and burst due to evaporation of hexadecane under the high vacuum conditions of TEM. This provided evidence of the robust nature of the Laponite discs that stabilized the droplets via both mechanical and electrostatic stabilization.