A mechanical method of making an oil-in-water microemulsion containing (A) a polysiloxane and (B) an inert fluid selected from an inert siloxane fluid and an inert organic fluid, where the average emulsion particle size is between 1 and 140 nanometers, is disclosed. The process involves the following steps: i) preparing an oil phase comprising a polysiloxane containing mixture by the polymerization of silane or siloxane containing monomers and/or oligomers in the presence of an inert fluid, a suitable catalyst and optionally an end-blocking agent; and ii) where required quenching the polymerization process; wherein the inert fluid is substantially retained within the resulting polysiloxane containing mixture; iii) if required, mixing one or more surfactants into the oil phase; iv) adding water to the oil phase, followed by applying agitation or shear to the mixture to arrive at an oil-in-water microemulsion; v) optionally diluting the oil-in-water microemulsion by adding more water.

Emulsifiers are provided that are able to stabilize water-in-oil emulsions. The emulsifiers are homogenous and have a relatively low melting point (e.g., soft pastes, gels or liquids at room temperature), enabling their use in cold-process methods/formulations which reduce energy consumption, manufacturing costs, as well as allow the use thermolabile active ingredients. The water-in-oil emulsifiers may comprise: (a) polyglycerol fatty acid esters consisting of saturated and unsaturated fatty acid esters of polyglycerol; (b) polyhydroxystearic acid copolymers consisting of copolymers of hydroxystearic acid with saturated and unsaturated fatty acids; and (c) hydroxystearic acid. Methods and uses relating to the emulsifiers are also described, for example in cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides amphiphilic nanosheets that comprise lamellar crystals with at least two regions: a first hydrophilic region and a second hydrophobic region. In some embodiments, the amphiphilic nanosheets of the present invention also comprise a plurality of functional groups that are appended to the lamellar crystals. In some embodiments the functional groups are hydrophobic functional groups that are appended to the second region of the lamellar crystals. In some embodiments, the lamellar crystals comprise -zirconium phosphates. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of making the aforementioned amphiphilic nanosheets. Such methods generally comprise appending one or more functional groups to a stack of lamellar crystals; and exfoliating the stack of lamellar crystals for form the amphiphilic nanosheets.

Non-spherical liquid droplets comprising a liquid, an internal solid material defining the shape of the droplet, a benefit agent, and methods of making non-spherical liquid droplets.

A method of making a sacrificial coating composition is disclosed. The method comprises emulsifying an oil with surfactant and water to form an oil-in-water emulsion; and combining ingredients comprising (i) at least one polymer, (ii) at least one hygroscopic material, (iii) the oil-in water emulsion and (iv) water to produce the sacrificial coating composition. The at least one polymer is selected from the group consisting of a hydrophilic polymer, a latex comprising polymer particles dispersed in a continuous liquid phase, or mixtures thereof.

A nanoemulsion having reversible continuous and dispersed phases. The nanoemulsion includes an aqueous phase and an oil phase, a weight ratio of the aqueous phase to the oil phase being 1:40-100:1. In the nanoemulsion, the aqueous phase is dispersed as nanosized droplets in the oil phase or the oil phase is dispersed as nanosized droplets in the aqueous phase. The aqueous phase contains water or a water solution and a water-soluble organic nanostructure stabilizer. The oil phase contains an oil or an oil solution, an organic gel thickener, and a hydrophilic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value greater than 8.0. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the above-described nanoemulsion.

A method of making a sacrificial coating composition is disclosed. The method comprises emulsifying an oil with surfactant to form an oil-in-water emulsion; and combining ingredients comprising (i) at least one polymer, (ii) at least one hygroscopic material, (iii) the oil-in water emulsion and (iv) water to produce the sacrificial coating composition. The at least one polymer is selected from the group consisting of a hydrophilic polymer, a latex comprising polymer particles dispersed in a continuous liquid phase, or mixtures thereof.

A composition is disclosed for aiding extraction of an emulsified oil from an oil and water emulsion. The composition includes silicon containing particles at a level of 0.1 wt. % to 30 wt. %; an emulsifying agent at a level of 1 wt. % to 30 wt. %; and water at a level of 40 wt. % to 99 wt. %. A method of extracting oil from an oil and water emulsion in a material is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) dispersing silicon containing particles into the material using a mechanical blending device; and (b) separating the oil from the material. A method of extracting oil from an oil and water emulsion in a material is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a dispersion of silicon containing particles in water; (b) metering the dispersion into the material; and (c) separating the oil from the material.

Non-spherical liquid droplets comprising a liquid, an internal solid material defining the shape of the droplet, a benefit agent, and methods of making non-spherical liquid droplets.

This invention relates to azeotrope-like compositions, methods and systems having utility in numerous applications, and in particular, uses for azeotrope-like compositions comprising effective amounts of the compound cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene (Z-HFO-1336mzzm), which has the following structure: ##STR00001##
and another material selected from the group consisting of water, fluoroketones, alcohols, hydrochlorofluoroolefins, and combinations of two or more thereof. These compositions may be used in a wide variety of applications such as, blowing agents, refrigerants, heating agents, power cycle agents, cleaning agents, aerosol propellants, sterilization agents, lubricants, flavor and fragrance extractants, flammability reducing agents, and flame suppression agents.