Interfacial displacement of nanoparticles by surfactant molecules in emulsions

dc.contributor.authorVashisth, C.
dc.contributor.authorWhitby, C.P.
dc.contributor.authorFornasiero, D.
dc.contributor.authorRalston, J.
dc.date.issued2010
dc.description.abstractThe remarkable stability of nanoparticles attached to oil-water interfaces in macroemulsions hinders controlled detachment of these particles from emulsions. In this work it is shown that adding surfactant molecules which preferentially adsorb at the oil-water interface displaces nanoparticles from the interface. Surfactant adsorption at the oil-water interface is energetically favoured and readily occurs on mixing nanoparticle-stabilised oil-in-water emulsions with surfactant solutions. Depending on the surfactant concentration, there is a significant reduction in the interfacial tension. Hence there is substantial fragmentation of the oil droplets and foaming of the emulsion during mixing. Surfactant concentrations above the critical micelle concentration are required to achieve complete interfacial displacement and hence recovery of the nanoparticles from the emulsions. The effects of surfactant addition have important implications for tailoring the interfacial composition of emulsions.
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2010; 349(2):537-543
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.jcis.2010.05.089
dc.identifier.issn0021-9797
dc.identifier.issn1095-7103
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1959.8/119124
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.relation.fundingARC
dc.relation.fundingAMIRA International
dc.relation.fundingState Governments of South Australia and Victoria
dc.relation.fundingFABLS network RN0460002
dc.rightsCopyright 2010 Elsevier Inc
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2010.05.089
dc.subjectparticle-stabilised emulsions
dc.subjectPickering emulsions
dc.titleInterfacial displacement of nanoparticles by surfactant molecules in emulsions
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished
ror.mmsid9915910555501831

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