Physical Characterization of Eco-Friendly O/W Emulsions Developed Through a Strategy Based on Product Engineering Principles

Abstract

Many traditional industrial products are being gradually replaced by environmental friendly alternatives. N,N-Dimethyldecanamide and D-limonene are solvents that fulfil the requirements to be considered green solvents and may find application in agrochemicals. This contribution deals with the study of emulsions formulated with a mixture of these solvents and an eco-friendly emulsifier. The procedure followed for the development of these formulations was based on the application of product design principles. This led to the optimum homogenization rate and subsequently to the optimum ratio of solvents. The combination of different techniques (rheology, laser diffraction, confocal laser-scanning microscopy, and multiple light scattering) was demonstrated to be a powerful tool to assist in the prediction of the emulsions destabilization process. Thus, we found that the optimum ratio of solvents was 75/25 (N,N-dimethyldecanamide/D-limonene) on account of the lack of coalescence and of a low creaming rate.