Multiphase complex emulsions formed from two or more immiscible solvents offer a unique platform as new materials for chemical sensor applications. The temperature controlled miscibility of fluorocarbons (F) and hydrocarbons (H) enables a temperature induced phase-separation, leading to structured emulsion droplets of H and F in water (W), which can be alternated between encapsulated (F in H, and H in F), and Janus configurations by varying the interfacial tensions using surfactants. Through the addition of molecular or particulate components, such as inorganic nanoparticles or stimuli-responsive surfactants to one or more of the immiscible phases, a change of the interfacial tensions can be induced leading to a change of the droplets’ morphology. These complex emulsion droplets can respond to external influences such as the presence of specific analytes, small pH changes, light or high energy irradiation, and the presence of an electric or magnetic field. We will present on how the addition of chromophores to the immiscible phases of the complex emulsions provides a method to create an optical read-out based on the ability of the complex emulsion droplets to selectively invert morphology in response to external stimuli. We will also show that, beside the droplets’ ability to selectively present and hide specific emission bands, an adjustment of the refractive indices of the solvents results in a new unprecedented control of light propagation inside the emulsion droplets. The ability to manipulate light in liquid colloid particles leads to the development of new optical transduction methods based on having control over the total internal reflection of light inside droplets, the potential of such micro-colloids to manipulate light in form of waveguides, as well as a platform for reconfigurable compound micro-lenses.<br/>

New optical transduction methods of liquid colloid particles for sensor applications

254th National Meeting (2017)

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