Engineering hybrid microgels as particulate emulsifiers for reversible Pickering emulsions
Hang Jiang1, Shengwei Zhang1, Guanqing Sun1
1The Key Laboratory of Synthetic and Biological Colloids, Ministry of Education & School of Chemical and Material Engineering, Jiangnan University Wuxi 214122 P. R. China yunxingli@jiangnan.edu.cn.
Chemical Science
|January 21, 2022
Summary
This study introduces novel thermo-responsive microgels that enable controlled temperature-triggered phase inversion in Pickering emulsions. These engineered microgels offer tunable wettability for advanced applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Colloid and Surface Chemistry
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Thermo-responsive microgels are effective stabilizers for Pickering emulsions, allowing temperature-controlled emulsification and demulsification.
- Directly triggering phase inversion in microgel-stabilized emulsions via temperature remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop hybrid poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based microgels with tunable wettability for controlled Pickering emulsion phase inversion.
- To demonstrate the *in situ* regulation of Pickering emulsion phase inversion using temperature changes.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of engineered microgels via inverse emulsion stabilized by hydrophobic silica nanoparticles.
- Tuning microgel wettability from hydrophilic to hydrophobic through swelling-induced features.
- Utilizing engineered microgels to stabilize water-in-oil Pickering emulsions.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated hybrid microgels with tunable wettability.
- Demonstrated *in situ* temperature-regulated phase inversion of microgel-stabilized Pickering emulsions.
- Showcased microgel capability in stabilizing water-in-oil emulsions, encapsulating enzymes for biocatalysis, and enabling temperature-triggered cargo release.
Conclusions:
- The engineered hybrid microgels provide a novel platform for temperature-controlled Pickering emulsion phase inversion.
- These microgels facilitate stimuli-responsive systems for interfacial biocatalysis and controlled cargo release applications.
