Disperse System
Disperse System
Disperse System
Multiple emulsions
In addition to the two types of emulsions, there are certain
complexes, multiple emulsions in which oil in water or
water in oil emulsions are dispersed in another liquid
medium. A w/o/w emulsion is prepared by first forming
water in oil system and then dispersing this primary
emulsion in a second aqueous phase.
• Multiple emulsions are potential candidates for
sustained release dosage forms.
Microemulsions
Conductivity test:
This test is based on the principle that an emulsion with an
aqueous continuous phase will conduct an electrical
current whereas one with an oily continuous phase will
not.
In this test, a pair of electrodes connected to a lamp and
an electrical source is generally dipped in to an emulsion.
If the emulsion is o/w type, the lamp glows.
Conductivity tests may give false results with non ionic oil
in water emulsions.
Fluorescence test:
If a drop of an emulsion is exposed to ultraviolet radiation
and observed under microscope water in oil emulsion
should show continuous florescence while oil in water
emulsion would show only spotty fluorescence.
Direction of creaming test:
The direction of creaming in an emulsion can help in the
identification of the emulsion type if the densities of the
aqueous and oil phases are known.
Water in oil emulsions would normally cream downwards
as oil is generally less dense than water. On the other
hand o/w emulsions would normally cream upwards.
Theories of Emulsion:
ΔF = γ. ΔA
Where
1. Monomolecular barrier
2. Multi molecular barrier
3. Solid particle barrier
a. Monomolecular barrier
All synthetic emulsifiers produce monomolecular layer and
lower the surface tension in proportion to their
tendency to be adsorbed at oil /water interface.
e.g. potassium laurate, poly oxyethylene monostearate
Where
V= rate of creaming g= gravitational constant
r= particle radius = viscosity of the external phase
D =particle diameter d2=density of the external phase
d1=density of the internal phase
From the equation it is clear that if the diameter of the
particle is increased the rate of creaming will be
increased.
Emulsifying agents:
Phase volume:
As a rule of thumb, the type of emulsion formed generally
depends on the relative volumes of the two phases
with the liquid present in the greater amount forming
the continuous phase.
Example:
Na-stearate has the characteristics of a good o/w
emulsifying agent, since it posses a hydrophilic (COO-)
group that predominates over the lipophilic hydrocarbon
group.
C17H35------COO- Na+
Lipophilic Hydrophilic
HLB range and their application
1. Flocculation or coagulation
2. Creaming
3. Coalescence
4. Breaking or cracking
5. Phase inversion
6. Deterioration by micro-organism
7. Miscellaneous physical and chemical changes.
Flocculation:
Cause:
Flocculation depends on the electrical potential on the
surface of the droplets. There is a high repulsive force
among the dispersed globules. If the repulsive force is
decreased the globules tend to aggregate.
The lowering of repulsive force may be caused
• when the used emulsifying agent is insufficient
• when the volume of the internal phase is high
Remedy:
The presence of high charged density on the dispersed
droplets will ensure the presence of a high energy barrier
and these reduce the incidence of flocculation.
Creaming:
Creaming is the rising or settling of dispersed globules to
form a concentrated layer at the surface or at the bottom
of the emulsion.
Cause:
D2 (d1-d2)g
V=----------------------
18
Where
V= rate of creaming
r= particle radius in cm
D =particle diameter in cm
d1=density of the internal phase
d2=density of the external phase
g= gravitational constant
= viscosity of the external phase
Remedy:
Coalescence:
Coalescence is the fusing of the globules into larger drop
or
drops. In coalescence the globules lose their individuality.
During fusion the interfacial film is destroyed. So
coalescence is irreversible. Globules can not be
redistributed by shaking.
i. Opposite types of emulsifying agent:
Addition of an emulsifying agent of opposite type tends to
decrease the power of emulsification which cause
cracking.
iv. Freezing:
Remedy:
• By incorporating more emulsifying agent.
• By controlling the temperature at which emulsion is kept.
• By controlling disperse phase concentration.
• By adding correct emulsifying agent.
Phase inversion:
Remedy:
Miscellaneous:
Emulsion Suspension
1. Emulsion is a mixture of 1. Suspension is coarse
two immiscible liquids, one dispersion containing finely
being dispersed throughout divided insoluble materials
the other as small globules. suspended in a liquid
medium.
2. Both the dispersed and 2. Dispersion phase is
dispersion phase are liquid. liquid and dispersed phase
is solid.
3. The final preparation 3. The final preparation is
may be semisolid or liquid. generally semisolid.
4. Emulsions contain smaller 4. Suspensions contain
particle. larger particle.