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Interactions between interfaces dictate stimuli-responsive emulsion behaviour

Author

Listed:
  • Marcel Rey

    (The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road
    University of Gothenburg)

  • Jannis Kolker

    (Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf)

  • James A. Richards

    (The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road)

  • Isha Malhotra

    (Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf)

  • Thomas S. Glen

    (The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road)

  • N. Y. Denise Li

    (The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road)

  • Fraser H. J. Laidlaw

    (The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road)

  • Damian Renggli

    (ETH Zürich)

  • Jan Vermant

    (ETH Zürich)

  • Andrew B. Schofield

    (The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road)

  • Syuji Fujii

    (Osaka Institute of Technology, 5-16-1 Omiya, Asahi-ku
    Osaka Institute of Technology, 5-16-1 Omiya, Asahi-ku)

  • Hartmut Löwen

    (Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf)

  • Paul S. Clegg

    (The University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road)

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive emulsions offer a dual advantage, combining long-term storage with controlled release triggered by external cues such as pH or temperature changes. This study establishes that thermo-responsive emulsion behaviour is primarily determined by interactions between, rather than within, interfaces. Consequently, the stability of these emulsions is intricately tied to the nature of the stabilizing microgel particles - whether they are more polymeric or colloidal, and the morphology they assume at the liquid interface. The colloidal properties of the microgels provide the foundation for the long-term stability of Pickering emulsions. However, limited deformability can lead to non-responsive emulsions. Conversely, the polymeric properties of the microgels enable them to spread and flatten at the liquid interface, enabling stimuli-responsive behaviour. Furthermore, microgels shared between two emulsion droplets in flocculated emulsions facilitate stimuli-responsiveness, regardless of their internal architecture. This underscores the pivotal role of microgel morphology and the forces they exert on liquid interfaces in the control and design of stimuli-responsive emulsions and interfaces.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcel Rey & Jannis Kolker & James A. Richards & Isha Malhotra & Thomas S. Glen & N. Y. Denise Li & Fraser H. J. Laidlaw & Damian Renggli & Jan Vermant & Andrew B. Schofield & Syuji Fujii & Hartmut Lö, 2023. "Interactions between interfaces dictate stimuli-responsive emulsion behaviour," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-42379-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42379-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. A. Scotti & S. Bochenek & M. Brugnoni & M. A. Fernandez-Rodriguez & M. F. Schulte & J. E. Houston & A. P. H. Gelissen & I. I. Potemkin & L. Isa & W. Richtering, 2019. "Exploring the colloid-to-polymer transition for ultra-low crosslinked microgels from three to two dimensions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Steffen Bochenek & Fabrizio Camerin & Emanuela Zaccarelli & Armando Maestro & Maximilian M. Schmidt & Walter Richtering & Andrea Scotti, 2022. "In-situ study of the impact of temperature and architecture on the interfacial structure of microgels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
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    1. Steffen Bochenek & Fabrizio Camerin & Emanuela Zaccarelli & Armando Maestro & Maximilian M. Schmidt & Walter Richtering & Andrea Scotti, 2022. "In-situ study of the impact of temperature and architecture on the interfacial structure of microgels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.

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