Table 1 Comparison of nanoemulsion and emulsion (dilute emulsion)

Appearance

Transparent

Turbid

Interfacial tension

Ultra-low (usually ≪1 mN/m)

Low

Droplet size

<50 nm

>500 nm

Phase stability

Thermodynamically stable, long shelf life

Thermodynamically unstable

Preparation

Self-assembly

Need of external shear

Viscosity

Newtonian

Non-Newtonian