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Stabilizing bicontinuous particle-stabilized emulsions formed via solvent transfer-induced phase separation
Meyer T Alting1, Martin F Haase1
1Van 't Hoff Laboratory of Physical and Colloid Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.f.haase@uu.nl.
Soft Matter
|January 10, 2025
Summary
Particle-stabilized emulsions (bijels) degrade due to fluid exchange with their environment. This study enhances bijel stability by controlling aqueous phase dissolution and oil inflow, crucial for applications.
Area of Science:
- Soft Matter Physics
- Colloid Science
Background:
- Bicontinuous particle-stabilized emulsions (bijels) possess unique interconnected fluid structures.
- Solvent transfer-induced phase separation (STrIPS) synthesizes bijels with submicron domains.
- The fluid network structure in STrIPS-bijels degrades over time, limiting applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the mechanisms driving STrIPS-bijel destabilization.
- To develop strategies for extending the stability of STrIPS-bijels.
- To enhance control over the fluid bicontinuous structure for advanced applications.
Main Methods:
- Confocal laser scanning microscopy to observe structural changes.
- Investigating the effects of oil composition and surface chemistry on stability.
- Analyzing matter exchange between the bijel and surrounding oil phase.
Main Results:
- Bijel destabilization is driven by aqueous component dissolution into the oil phase.
- This dissolution leads to oil inflow and disruption of the bicontinuous structure within hours.
- Strategies to reduce aqueous loss extend bijel stability to several weeks.
Conclusions:
- The particle scaffold of STrIPS-bijels is stable long-term.
- Maintaining the fluid bicontinuous network requires minimizing aqueous phase loss.
- Enhanced stability control is vital for bijel applications in catalysis, separations, and energy storage.
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