Abstract
Microemulsions are clear, stable, isotropic liquid mixtures of oil, water and surfactant, frequently in combination with a cosurfactant. The aqueous phase may contain salt(s) and/or other ingredients, and the "oil" may actually be a complex mixture of different hydrocarbons and olefins. In contrast to ordinary emulsions, microemulsions form upon simple mixing of the components and do not require the high shear conditions generally used in the formation of ordinary emulsions.
Microemulsion are having unique properties, namely, ultralow interfacial tension, large interfacial area, thermodynamic stability and the ability to solubilize otherwise immiscible liquids. Microemulsion are having wide applications and uses such as in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cutting oils, biotechnology, food, agrochemicals, environmental detoxification, analytical applications, microporus media synthesis etc.