Adsorption-Reaction Processes Between Gelatin and PDMS-E Emulsion Droplets

In this work, the effects of droplet size and reaction time on the adsorption-reaction processes between gelatin and α-[3-(2,3-epoxypropoxy) propyl]-ω-butyl-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-E) emulsion droplets were studied. Gelatin molecules were only physically adsorbed on the surface of the PDMS-E droplet in the 0-75 min range, which was unrelated to the droplet size (100-1000 nm). For the small-size droplets (<410 nm), the physical adsorption proceeded over 75 min followed by agglomeration. For middle-size droplets (410-680 nm), the physical adsorption finished at 125 min; subsequently, the nucleophilic reaction between the primary amino group and the epoxy group began to happen, and globular-like or core-shell colloidal particles were formed. For large-size droplets (>680 nm), the nucleophilic reaction occurred at 75 min and produced core-shell or multi-layered colloidal particles. In a word, the physical absorption or nucleophilic reaction between gelatin and PDMS-E emulsion droplets could be controlled by controlling the droplet size and reaction time. Furthermore, the soft tissue paper coated with large-size droplets exhibited excellent resistance to water permeability and flame-resistant performance, which were carried out by water resistance and flammability tests.