Particle self-assembly in ionic liquid-in-water Pickering emulsions

Langmuir. 2011 Jan 18;27(2):508-12. doi: 10.1021/la103828x. Epub 2010 Dec 17.

Abstract

We report the self-assembly of a single species or a binary mixture of microparticles in ionic liquid-in-water Pickering emulsions, with emphases on the interfacial self-assembled particle structure and the partitioning preference of free particles in the dispersed and continuous phases. The particles form monolayers at ionic liquid-water interfaces and are close-packed on fully covered emulsion droplets or aggregated on partially covered droplets. In contrast to those at oil-water interfaces, no long-range-ordered colloidal lattices are observed. Interestingly, other than equilibrating at the ionic liquid-water interfaces, the microparticles also exhibit a partitioning preference in the dispersed and continuous phases: the sulfate-treated polystyrene (S-PS) and aldehyde-sulfate-treated polystyrene (AS-PS) microparticles are extracted to the ionic liquid phase with a high extraction efficiency, whereas the amine-treated polystyrene (A-PS) microparticles remain in the water phase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Emulsions / chemistry
  • Ionic Liquids / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Emulsions
  • Ionic Liquids
  • Water