Microemulsions are normally isotropic (clear), have very small droplets (~8-100 nm), low in viscosity and thermodynamically stable solutions. In contrast, the ordinary emulsions are milky white dispersions with higher viscosity, with droplets of >0.5 µm and only kinetically stable. Thus, the unique properties of microemulsions have generated great interest for use in high value products. Microemulsions containing low molecular weight aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons have been investigated extensively, and there is growing interest to replace hydrocarbon oils with natural oils, such as long and medium chain alkyl triglycerides and alkyl esters. This is due to the many advantages of natural oils such as being renewable, biodegradable, non-fl ammable, harmless to the environment, and less toxic to end-users. This invention is on using palm oil derivatives (palm-based solvents and emulsifi ers) and non-toxic co-surfactants (e.g: 1,2 alkane diols) in the formation of microemulsions for practical applications.

Main Research: Dr. Ismail Ab Raman