Emulsifiers enable stable liquid mixtures

Emulsifiers are surface-active substances that make it possible to combine two normally immiscible liquids, such as oil and water, into a stable mixture known as an emulsion. They play a central role in numerous industrial applications, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food technology, lubricant engineering, and metalworking.

Emulsifiers have an amphiphilic molecular structure, meaning they consist of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) part and a lipophilic (fat-attracting) part. This structure allows them to position themselves at the interface between water and oil, thereby reducing interfacial tension. As a result, fine droplets can form and be evenly distributed within the continuous phase.