We report on an analysis of the parameters that control both the stability and tunability of O/W nanoemulsions prepared by the phase inversion composition (PIC). These nanoemulsions are prepared with Tween 80 and Span 80, two nonionic surfactants, that can be mixed to adjust the hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB). We used a process mixture design method, which combines mixture and process design with phase diagrams, to describe the cross-link between parameters like composition, temperature of preparation, and HLB. Nanoemulsions, stable for several days, are obtained by this method, and they remain unchanged even at high concentration. We have identified the different critical distances of interactions that control the degree of freedom in the motion of the oil droplets. The diameter of these oil droplets could be adjusted between 50 and 300 nm. Different parameters, among them the temperature of preparation, the surfactant over oil ratio (S/O), and the HLB, allow control the final size of the nanoemulsions. As these parameters can exhibit opposite effects on the oil droplet size, the process mixture design method allowed us to illustrate these cross-interactions.

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Hierarchical porous materials have attracted a considerable attention owing to the increased interest in their applications. Hierarchical Porous Silica (HPS) was synthesized by combining the sol‐gel of sodium silicate (SS) and oil in water nanoemulsion (O/W‐NE) templating. The oil droplets of NE acted as pore forming agent and the sol‐gel built the silica framework. The O/W‐NE was prepared by a low energy method, i. e., the phase inversion composition (PIC) method. The influence of pH of SS and NE on HPS was studied. The volume of ammonia, used to induce gelling, was studied as a factor influencing the HPS. The calcined samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), FTIR, N2 adsorption and small‐angel X‐ray scattering (SAXS). The results show that the microstructure is highly affected by pH and can be; macropores inserted in a dense matrix; a blend of a dense and a porous structure; or fully hierarchical porous silica. HPS has a specific surface area of 240 m2/g and a large pore volume (1.5 cm3/g) and a surface roughness of 2.95.

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