Effect of [CTAB]-[SiO2] ratio on the formation and stability of hexadecane/water emulsions in the presence of NaCl

► CTAB tunes the hydrophobicity of the silica particles and makes them flocculate. ► SiO2-CTAB aggregates developed highly structured films. ► Mean droplet sizes decreased as the [CTAB]-[SiO2] ratio diminished. ► Larger non-spherical droplets were formed as [CTAB]-[SiO2] ratios increased. ► Evolution of droplet size was attributed to interfacial aggregate reorganization.