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Creating nanoscale emulsions using condensation

Author

Listed:
  • Ingrid F. Guha

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Sushant Anand

    (University of Illinois at Chicago
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Kripa K. Varanasi

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Nanoscale emulsions are essential components in numerous products, ranging from processed foods to novel drug delivery systems. Existing emulsification methods rely either on the breakup of larger droplets or solvent exchange/inversion. Here we report a simple, scalable method of creating nanoscale water-in-oil emulsions by condensing water vapor onto a subcooled oil-surfactant solution. Our technique enables a bottom-up approach to forming small-scale emulsions. Nanoscale water droplets nucleate at the oil/air interface and spontaneously disperse within the oil, due to the spreading dynamics of oil on water. Oil-soluble surfactants stabilize the resulting emulsions. We find that the oil-surfactant concentration controls the spreading behavior of oil on water, as well as the peak size, polydispersity, and stability of the resulting emulsions. Using condensation, we form emulsions with peak radii around 100 nm and polydispersities around 10%. This emulsion formation technique may open different routes to creating emulsions, colloidal systems, and emulsion-based materials.

Suggested Citation

  • Ingrid F. Guha & Sushant Anand & Kripa K. Varanasi, 2017. "Creating nanoscale emulsions using condensation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-01420-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01420-8
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    Cited by:

    1. Jeong-Chan Lee & Su Yeong Kim & Jayeon Song & Hyowon Jang & Min Kim & Hanul Kim & Siyoung Q. Choi & Sunjoo Kim & Pawan Jolly & Taejoon Kang & Steve Park & Donald E. Ingber, 2024. "Micrometer-thick and porous nanocomposite coating for electrochemical sensors with exceptional antifouling and electroconducting properties," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Sihan Tang & Jiang Gong & Yunsong Shi & Shifeng Wen & Qiang Zhao, 2022. "Spontaneous water-on-water spreading of polyelectrolyte membranes inspired by skin formation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.

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