Optical and Interfacial Tension Study of Crystallization of n-alkane in Oil-in-Water Emulsion Using Monodispersed Droplets

We report optical observations and interfacial tension measurements on crystallization of an oil phase in oil ( n -alkane)-in-water (O/W) emulsion droplets, using monodispersed droplets (34 μm in diameter). It was indicated that interfacial heterogeneous nucleation accelerated by additive molecules (polyglycerine fatty acid esters having high melting points) occurred in the following manner: the additive molecules adsorbed at the O/W interface solidified, and aggregate was formed, which was followed by nucleation of the oil phase.