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Particle Monolayer-Stabilized Light-Sensitive Liquid Marbles from Polypyrrole-Coated Microparticles
Yuta Asaumi, Marcel Rey1, Nicolas Vogel1
1Institute of Particle Technology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Cauerstrasse 4, 91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|February 21, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed novel liquid marbles stabilized by a single layer of specialized particles. These particles, made of polystyrene coated with polypyrrole, offer enhanced stability and controlled evaporation for liquid storage and transport.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Liquid marbles (LMs) are essential for liquid handling, offering powder-like storage and transport.
- Existing LM stabilization often requires significant amounts of solid material.
- A need exists for efficient LM stabilization using minimal material.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel particles for stabilizing liquid marbles.
- To investigate the formation and properties of liquid marbles stabilized by a single particle monolayer.
- To explore the controlled evaporation of liquid marbles using light-responsive particles.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of polystyrene (PS) particles coated with heptadecafluorooctanesulfonic acid-doped polypyrrole (PPy-C8F) via aqueous chemical oxidative seeded polymerization.
- Characterization of particle properties using laser diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- Evaluation of liquid marble formation, stability, and evaporation control using microscopy and gravimetric studies.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized monodisperse PS/PPy-C8F particles that form stable aqueous suspensions.
- Demonstrated that these particles stabilize liquid marbles as a single monolayer with hexagonal close-packed structures.
- Observed increased mechanical integrity and spherical shape of LMs with higher PPy-C8F loading, correlating with increased water contact angle (82° to 102°).
- Utilized the PPy coating's light absorption to control water evaporation rate using near-infrared laser irradiation.
Conclusions:
- Single-monolayer stabilization of liquid marbles is achievable with optimized PS/PPy-C8F particles.
- Particle properties, specifically PPy-C8F loading, directly influence LM stability and water contact angle.
- Light-responsive PPy coating enables on-demand control over LM evaporation, enhancing their utility.
