Learn How to Make a 10% Mineral Oil Emulsion Without Microfluidic Channels

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods for preparing a 10% mineral oil emulsion in water without the use of microfluidic channels. Participants explore various techniques, including the use of surfactants and emulsifiers, as well as mechanical mixing methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about preparing a 10% mineral oil emulsion in water without microfluidic channels.
  • Another participant suggests the addition of a surfactant or emulsifier to aid in the emulsion process.
  • A participant mentions using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a surfactant but notes that their emulsion recipe resulted in less than 1% emulsion.
  • There is a suggestion to try sonication to improve the emulsion's stability, although one participant expresses uncertainty about how sonication works in this context.
  • A participant describes a method for making mayonnaise as an example of creating a stable emulsion through vigorous mixing, highlighting the role of emulsifiers from egg yolk and mustard.
  • Another participant shares a personal experience of struggling to create an emulsion with a specific oil, indicating that emulsification can sometimes fail despite following general methods.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of various methods for creating the emulsion, and there is no consensus on the best approach. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal technique and the reasons for potential failures in emulsification.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various factors that could influence the success of emulsification, including the type of surfactant used, the method of mixing, and the specific oils involved. There are references to personal experiences that highlight the variability in outcomes.

phytoplankton
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Without using microfluidic channels how to prepare a at least 10% (by volume)mineral oil (dispersed)in water emulsion?
 
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phytoplankton said:
Without using microfluidic channels how to prepare a at least 10% (by volume)mineral oil (dispersed)in water emulsion?

Can you add a surfactant or emulsifier?
 
Quantum Defect said:
Can you add a surfactant or emulsifier?

yeah, like SDS(sodium dodexyl sulfate) i prepared a recipe for the emulsion but it is less than 1%.
 
phytoplankton said:
yeah, like SDS(sodium dodexyl sulfate) i prepared a recipe for the emulsion but it is less than 1%.

Have you tried sonicating?
 
Quantum Defect said:
Have you tried sonicating?
no not yet. i am not sure how sonication work to thicken the emulsion.
 
phytoplankton said:
no not yet. i am not sure how sonication work to thicken the emulsion.

Vigorously mixing some oils with water and emulsifier can get you a suspension of very tiny oil droplets that are kinetically stable. This is how you make mayonnaise (albeit without the sonicator).

one egg yolk, dash of lemon juice, dot of mustard ==> slowly add 1 c. olive oil while beating ==> voila! mayonnaise

The surfactants/emulsifiers are coming from the egg and mustard (lecithin)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lecithin
 
Quantum Defect said:
one egg yolk, dash of lemon juice, dot of mustard ==> slowly add 1 c. olive oil while beating ==> voila! mayonnaise

While I agree in general (I made mayonnaise many time myself), sometimes it doesn't work. There was an oil sold here (actually some German brand) that I couldn't turn into emulsion no matter how hard I tried. No idea why.
 

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