Spontaneous Formation of Double Emulsions at Particle-Laden Interfaces

Traditionally, double emulsions are produced in the presence of both oil-soluble and water-soluble surfactants sequential droplet formation settings or unique fluidic designs. Micelles, assemblies liquid mediums, can generate single emulsion droplets without requiring input energy. We hypothesize that synergy between nanoparticles one phase, micelles other phase spontaneously emulsions. Nanoparticles become surface-activated by adsorbing form second type from initially emulsified micelles. design a thermodynamically-driven emulsification platform where formed as soon an aqueous nanoparticle dispersion is placed contact with oleic micellar solution. Confocal cryogenic-scanning electron microscopies utilized to characterize structure intensity at various concentrations silica Span The rate particle surface activation amount water intake quantified using dynamic light scattering, interfacial tension, density measurements. Nanoscale nucleate oil swollen Over time, water-shell encapsulating swollen-micelle rich phase. gradual surfaceactivation key self-double controlling intensity. build on this new discovery novel system for emulsification. Incorporating into spontaneous systems opens routes designing emulsion-based materials.