Polyvinyl Alcohol as a Steric Stabilizer

Abstract

<p> An experimental study of the steric stabilizing ability of a water soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) polymer is presented.</p> <p> The free film thickness of a lamella formed between a drop of n-butylchloride and bulk n-butylchloride stabilized by PVA was measured by the Hodgson and Woods technique in order to evaluate the stabilizing ability of the polymer. A maximum in the stability was observed as the concentration of the polymer was increased. This maximum trend can be explained by the HVO theory.</p>