Emulsion

AllChemicals — The Online Chemical Glossary | https://allchemicals.info/chemical/390-emulsion

Expert Written | Fact Checked | Sources Cited | AllChemicals Editorial Team

Quick Reference

Also Known As	Oil-water emulsion, O/W or W/O emulsion, colloidal emulsion

What is Emulsion?

A colloid consisting of two immiscible liquids, one dispersed as droplets within the other. Emulsions require emulsifying agents (emulsifiers) to maintain stability. Milk is an oil-in-water emulsion. Emulsions are used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.

Properties & Characteristics

An emulsion is a colloidal dispersion of one liquid in another immiscible liquid, stabilised by an emulsifier (surfactant). Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions disperse oil droplets in water (e.g., milk); water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions disperse water in oil (e.g., butter, margarine). Without emulsifier, phases separate. Stability depends on emulsifier concentration, droplet size, and electrostatic/steric repulsion between droplets.

Uses & Applications

Emulsions are used in food (mayonnaise, ice cream), pharmaceuticals (drug delivery creams, parenteral fat emulsions), cosmetics (lotions, sunscreens), paints (latex), bitumen road paving, and agricultural pesticide formulations.

Safety Information

Some emulsified systems contain hazardous components (organic solvents, concentrated acids or bases as dispersed phases). Breakdown of an emulsion can suddenly expose concentrated hazardous material. Pharmaceutical emulsions must be sterile for parenteral use; contamination is a serious safety risk.

Always consult the SDS/MSDS before handling any chemical. This information is for educational purposes only.

Key Facts

Term Emulsion

Index All "E" terms

Synonyms Oil-water emulsion, O/W or W/O emulsion, colloidal emulsion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Emulsion?

What is Emulsion used for?

Is Emulsion hazardous?

More "E" Terms

1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide C8H18ClN3 2-Ethoxyethanol C4H10O2 Effective Collisions Effective Collisions E ≥ Ea (activation energy required) Effective Molality m_eff = i × m (van't Hoff factor) Effective Nuclear Charge Z_eff = Z − σ (Slater's rules) Efflorescence Hydrated salt losing water in air: M·nH₂O(s) → M·(n-x)H₂O(s) + xH₂O(g) Einsteinium Es Electrical Conductivity κ = 1/ρ; Λm = κ/c Electrochemical Cell Galvanic cell: ΔG = −nFE_cell; Electrolytic cell: ΔG = +nFE_applied Electrochemical Series Arranged by E° (standard reduction potential); SHE: E° = 0.00 V Electrochemistry E° cell = E° cathode − E° anode | ΔG° = −nFE°

View all "E" terms →

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Editorial standards: Chemical data is sourced from peer-reviewed literature, CAS Registry, NIST WebBook, and PubChem. Safety information reflects guidance from OSHA, ECHA, and IAEA. For educational purposes only — always consult official SDS documentation and qualified professionals before handling chemicals.