Properties of Microemulsions with Mixed Nonionic Surfactants and Mint Oil

Abstract In this study we used electrical conductivity, dynamic viscosity, dynamic light scattering, and small angle X-ray scattering for the characterization of the water + propylene glycol/sucrose laurate/ethoxylated mono-di-glyceride/peppermint oil microemulsion systems. The maximum water solubilization in the peppermint oil was found to be dependent on the surfactants mixing ratio (w/w). A Static percolation threshold was determined. The activation energy of conductive flow depends on the surfactants mixing ratio. The hydrodynamic diameter of the diluted microemulsions decreases with the increase in temperature. The periodicity d of the microemulsions increases with the increase in the aqueous phase content. The correlation length ξ increases and decreases with the increase in the aqueous phase content indicating the onset of structural transitions.