Phase studies of mixed phosphated surfactants, n-hexane and water

Mixtures of phosphated nonylphenolethoxylate (PNE), phosphated fatty alcohol ethoxylate (PFE) and n-hexane form ‘oils’ which may spontaneously emulsify when added to water. However, the degree of spontaneity and the stability of the resulting dispersions vary according to the constitution of the system. Studies of the equilibrium phase diagrams suggest that the anomalies may be attributed to the presence of liquid crystalline phases of different types which are formed in the presence of water.