It has been known for more than a century that colloidal particles with the �right� wetting properties can adsorb to liquid interfaces and stabilize emulsions, much like surfactants or amphiphilic polymers do. Still, our fundamental understanding of the connection between particle properties and emulsion characteristics remains surprisingly poor. We can, for example, prepare an emulsion by mixing equal volumes of an oil phase and an aqueous particle dispersion; but even with complete knowledge of both liquids and all particle properties, current theory fails to predict reliably the stability and even the type (w/o or o/w) of the emulsion formed. In this presentation we will discuss the source of such difficulties and point out commonly overlooked effects of particle charge and surface roughness. We support our claims with experimental studies of the emulsion type and stability in systems that allow us to vary the particle charge and roughness systematically and independently.

Particles as emulsion stabilizers: Influence of charge and roughness

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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