This volume addresses the concepts of hydrophile—lipophile balance (HLB) of surfactants and solid particles, with a focus on the energetic interpretation of the balance, i.e., the hydrophile—lipophile ratio. It includes comprehensive analysis of the interfacial and bulk properties of surfactants — such as interfacial tension, distribution coefficient, adsorption, surface pressure, solubility, structure characteristics, phase separation in emulsions, formation of three phase systems, and others — which relate to HLB.

Hydrophile — Lipophile Balance of Surfactants and Solid Particles discusses the HLB-number systems of Griffin and Davies and other independent methods of defining the hydrophile—lipophile balance, including PIT, polarity indexes, surfactant affinity difference, etc. For the first time, different methods of defining HLB for solid particles in compact and dispersed form are suggested by the author. Also, the use of hydrophile—lipophile characteristics of solid particles as a criterion of phase inversion in emulsion stabilization and for other applications is discussed.

From the Preface: “The amphiphilicity is a fundamental characteristic of any surfactant...To assess the quantitative measure of the amphiphilicity, the so-called hydrophile—lipophile balance is widely used, which in a certain way reflects the relative efficiency of the heteropolar parts of the surfactants. The most commonly used characteristics of the hydrophile—lipophile balance with respect to the application of surfactants are Griffin's HLB numbers and Davies' HLB numbers. These numbers were introduced in response to technical needs, where a quantitative characterisation of a surfactant was required to facilitate the choice and selection of the particular compound in a specific application...”

Target Audience: Chemists, biologists, engineers, and upper-level undergraduate students interested in colloid dispersions, colloid stability, surfactants and polymers, surfaces and interfaces, and related fields.

Brief Table of Contents:

Introduction

Physicochemical Properties of Surfactants Used in the Definition of Hydrophile—Lipophile Balance

Stabilising Aility of Surfactants in Emulsifications and Foam Formation

Hydrophile—Lipophile Balance of Surfactants

Hydrophile—Lipophile Balance of Solid Particles

Examination of the Implementation of Hydrophilicity—Lipophilicity Concepts in the Development of the Formulations of Surfactants and Selection of Solid Particles for Certain Purposes

Index