Continuous Emulsion Channels Achieved by Controlling the Aqueous–Oil Interface Solely with Rough Colloids

• Published in: Advanced functional materials 2024-02, Vol.34 (6), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Chen, Wenbin, Kato, Airi N., Dai, Lijun, Clegg, Paul S., Li, Tao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Channels; Colloids; continous phase; DPD simulations; Emulsions; Ethanol; ethanol‐containing; nanoparticles; Phase separation; Pickering emulsion; Surface tension
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202308608

As a new class of soft materials, continuous emulsion channels have been successfully stabilized solely by rough colloids, which exhibit unique capability in sterically controlling liquid–liquid interfaces. Once jammed at the interface, the roughness‐enhanced frictions can slow down the dynamics of phase separation, and the interlocking behaviors would constrain their relative motions and generate force structures that provide mechanical support for the created emulsions. Ethanol is used to ensure the particles’ absorption, whose migration can modify the interfacial tension, and increase the solubility of active ingredients (e.g., curcumin). Applying rough colloids in ethanol‐containing systems opens new pathways toward the generation of novel structures and materials, where the parallel but separate functionalities provided by various phases demonstrate wide‐ranging applications, especially in delivery systems with variably soluble components. Rough colloids provide powerful strategies to regulate the dynamics of liquid–liquid interfaces and achieve morphological stabilization. Here, they solely stabilize continuous emulsion channels in an ethanol‐containing system, where the interlocking behaviors constrain their relative motions and generate mechanical support for the created structures. Such continuous channels can realize complementary functionalities, such as the combination of drugs with various solubility.