Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
10:06
Cellular Affinity of Particle-Stabilized Emulsion to Boost Antigen Internalization
Published on: September 2, 2022
Effect of Particle Size on Pickering Emulsion Stability Under Different Homogenization Methods
Lin Chen1, Patrícia Figueiredo1, Alaa Mahran2,3
1Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|June 15, 2026
Summary
Particle size significantly impacts Pickering emulsion stability, but its effect varies with homogenization methods like rotor-stator, ultrasonication, and high-pressure processing. Understanding these interactions is key for designing stable particle-stabilized emulsions.
Area of Science:
- Colloid and Surface Science
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Pickering emulsions offer superior stability over traditional surfactant-stabilized emulsions.
- Particle size is a critical factor in Pickering emulsion stabilization, yet its influence across different processing methods is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of silica nanoparticle size on Pickering emulsion formation and stability.
- To compare these effects across rotor-stator homogenization, ultrasonication, and high-pressure homogenization methods.
Main Methods:
- Silica nanoparticle size variation.
- Three homogenization techniques: rotor-stator, ultrasonication, and high-pressure.
- Characterization via droplet size analysis, interfacial adsorption, ζ-potential, and Turbiscan stability analysis.
- Multivariate Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression for assessing particle size importance.
Main Results:
- The influence of particle size on emulsion stability is processing-method dependent.
- Rotor-stator homogenization: Optimal stability achieved with intermediate nanoparticles due to a balance of droplet reduction and sedimentation.
- Ultrasonication: Smaller nanoparticles enhance stability via increased interfacial adsorption.
- High-pressure homogenization: Particle size effects are masked; stability limited by coalescence and sedimentation.
Conclusions:
- Particle size influences Pickering emulsion stability through distinct mechanisms depending on the homogenization method.
- Findings provide guidance for the rational design of particle-stabilized emulsions by selecting appropriate particle sizes and processing techniques.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Precipitate Formation and Particle Size Control
In precipitation gravimetry, the precipitating agent should react specifically or selectively with the analyte. While a specific reagent reacts with the analyte alone, a selective reagent can react with a limited number of chemical species.
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
The obtained precipitate should be either a pure substance of known composition or easily converted to one by a simple process, such as ignition or drying. In addition, the precipitate should be insoluble and easily filterable. In general, filterability...
01:29The Colloidal State
The formation of a colloidal system is exemplified by an aqueous solution containing Cl− ions is introduced to another containing Ag+ ions, resulting in the precipitation of solid AgCl as extremely tiny crystals. Instead of settling out as a filterable precipitate, these crystals remain suspended in the liquid, showcasing a colloidal system.A colloidal system involves colloidal particles within the approximate range of 1 to 1000 nm in at least one dimension, dispersed in a medium called the...
01:09Colloidal precipitates
The high insolubility of some precipitates can result in an unfavorable relative supersaturation. This can lead to colloidal particles with a large surface-to-mass ratio, where adsorption is promoted. For instance, in the precipitation of silver chloride, silver ions are adsorbed on the surface of the colloidal particles, forming a primary layer. This layer attracts ions of opposite charge (such as nitrate ions), forming a diffuse secondary layer of adsorbed ions. This electric double layer...
01:23Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area
Dissolution kinetics, an essential aspect of oral drug delivery, is significantly influenced by the drug's particle size. According to the Noyes-Whitney dissolution model, the dissolution rate correlates directly with the drug's surface area. The larger the surface area, the higher the drug's solubility in water, leading to a faster drug dissolution rate. Reducing particle size increases the effective surface area, enhancing the dissolution process. Micronization and nanosizing are employed to...
01:12Precipitation Processes
The experimental conditions in a gravimetric analysis should be optimized to maximize the particle size and purity of the obtained precipitate. Ideally, the concentration of the precipitating reagent should be low with effective stirring to maintain low relative supersaturation for the growth of large crystals. In homogeneous precipitation, the precipitant is slowly generated by a chemical reaction in the solution to avoid local reagent excesses. For example, urea decomposes gradually to...
03:22Colloids
Children at play often make suspensions such as mixtures of mud and water, flour and water, or a suspension of solid pigments in water known as tempera paint. These suspensions are heterogeneous mixtures composed of relatively large particles that are visible to the naked eye or can be seen with a magnifying glass. They are cloudy, and the suspended particles settle out after mixing. On the other hand, a solution is a homogeneous mixture in which no settling occurs and in which the dissolved...