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High Internal Phase Emulsions Stabilized by a Zeolite-Surfactant Combination in a Composition-Dependent Manner
Alban Gossard1, Nicolas Fabrègue1, Audrey Hertz1
1DE2D, SEAD, Laboratoire des Procédés Supercritiques et de Décontamination , CEA, DEN, Univ Montpellier , Marcoule, F-30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze , France.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|December 11, 2019
Summary
This study shows how to stabilize oil-in-water (O/W) high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) using zeolite particles and a surfactant. The stabilization mechanism depends on the ratio of surfactant to zeolite, enabling tunable emulsion properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Colloid and Surface Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- High internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) are crucial in synthesizing porous materials.
- Stabilizing HIPEs typically involves surfactants or nanoparticles.
- Controlling HIPE properties requires understanding interfacial interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the stabilization of oil-in-water (O/W) HIPEs using submicronic Linde type A zeolite particles and a cationic surfactant (tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide, TTAB).
- To explore the role of the TTAB/zeolite weight ratio in dictating emulsion structure and properties.
- To elucidate the underlying stabilization mechanisms, including Pickering and electrostatic stabilization.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of "homemade" submicronic Linde type A zeolite particles.
- Characterization of zeolite particle surface activation by TTAB using surface tension and electrochemical measurements.
- Analysis of TTAB adsorption isotherms and zeta potential of zeolite particles.
- Rheological characterization and droplet size analysis of O/W HIPEs under varying TTAB/zeolite ratios.
Main Results:
- Zeolite particles, initially hydrophilic, can be surface-activated by TTAB adsorption.
- Low TTAB/zeolite ratios yield gel-like O/W Pickering HIPEs.
- Intermediate ratios cause phase inversion to W/O emulsions.
- High ratios lead to a second phase inversion, forming creamy O/W HIPEs stabilized by electrostatic repulsion between TTAB-coated zeolite particles and surfactant at the interface.
Conclusions:
- The TTAB/zeolite weight ratio is a critical parameter for controlling HIPE stabilization mechanisms and properties.
- Zeolite particles can act as effective stabilizers for HIPEs through Pickering stabilization and electrostatic repulsion.
- This work provides a novel approach for synthesizing tunable zeolite-based porous materials via controlled HIPE stabilization.
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