Thermodynamic and theoretical aspects of emulsions and their stability

Recent advances in the thermodynamics of equilibrium oil-water-surfactant systems facilitate understanding of the dynamics of nonequilibrium systems. In particular, understanding of nucleation and flickering of small holes joining emulsion droplets has gradually grown, with implications for progress in coalescence, Ostwald ripening and solubilization kinetics. The molecular parameters of surfactants affecting these processes are becoming clearer. On the other hand, surface forces approach (e.g. classical Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory) has shown little predictive power when applied to emulsions.