Structural Control Over Bicontinuous Emulsions from Solvent-Transfer Induced Phase Separation Through Nanoparticle...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Colloid and Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Bicontinuous materials offer solutions for diffusion limitations in catalysis and energy storage.
• Bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels (bijels) utilize nanoparticles for submicron liquid domains.
• Rational design of diffusion pathways in bijels is hindered by unknown nanoparticle loading effects on domain size.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the relationship between nanoparticle loading and domain size in supported bijel films.
• Develop predictive models for bijel film structure and morphology.
• Advance the application of supported bijel films as functional materials.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of supported bijel films with varying nanoparticle content using solvent-transfer induced phase separation (STrIPS).
• Quantitative analysis of domain size using confocal microscopy.
• Development of an empirical equation and a theoretical model to describe structural trends.

Main Results:

• A decrease in average domain size was observed with increasing nanoparticle loading.
• An empirical equation was derived to predict bijel film structure based on nanoparticle content.
• A theoretical model was established to explain morphological trends related to nanoparticle efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Nanoparticle loading provides a controllable parameter for tuning domain size in supported bijel films.
• The developed models enable prediction and interpretation of bijel film morphology.
• Findings facilitate the rational design and application of bijel films in functional materials.