Nanoemulsions -Approaching Thermodynamic Stability

Nanoemulsions are part of a broad class of multiphase colloidal dispersions. In the world of nanomaterials, Nanoemulsions hold great promise as useful dispersions of deformable nanoscale droplets that can have flow properties ranging from liquid to highly solid and optical properties ranging from opaque to nearly transparent due to their small droplet sizes posses stability against sedimentation or creaming with Ostwald ripening forming the main mechanism of nanoemulsion breakdown. The long-term physical stability of nanoemulsions with no apparent flocculation or coalescence makes them unique and they are referred to as ‘Approaching Thermodynamic Stability’. Nanoemulsions can be prepared by use of high-pressure homogenizers, use of the low-energy emulsification method at constant temperature or application of the phase inversion temperature (PIT) concept. The compositional flexibility of Nanoemulsions offers a wide range in pharmaceutical applications. This review article emphasizes the formation, properties, mechanism of emulsification and characterization which enable a wide range of interdisciplinary researchers to enter the imperative field of nanoemulsions.