Affiliation:
1. Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Beijing 100083, China
2. College of New Energy and Materials, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
3. National Elite Institute of Engineering, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Beijing 102200, China
4. School of Rare Earth, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
Abstract
Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable, optically isotropic, transparent, or semi-transparent mixed solutions composed of two immiscible solvents stabilized by amphiphilic solutes. This comprehensive review explores state-of-the-art techniques for characterizing microemulsions, which are versatile solutions essential across various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, food, and petroleum. This article delves into spectroscopic methods, nuclear magnetic resonance, small-angle scattering, dynamic light scattering, conductometry, zeta potential analysis, cryo-electron microscopy, refractive index measurement, and differential scanning calorimetry, examining each technique’s strengths, limitations, and potential applications. Emphasizing the necessity of a multi-technique approach for a thorough understanding, it underscores the importance of integrating diverse analytical methods to unravel microemulsion structures from molecular to macroscopic scales. This synthesis provides a roadmap for researchers and practitioners, fostering advancements in microemulsion science and its wide-ranging industrial applications.