Sommaire:

Particle-stabilized emulsions, also called Pickering emulsions, are surfactant-free
metastable dispersions of two non-miscible fluids like oil and water. These emulsions are
kinetically stabilized by colloidal particles partially wetted by the two fluids.
This study aims at understanding the interfacial stabilization mechanisms as well as the links between the interfacial and macroscopic properties of emulsions. In this context, our strategy consists in using colloidal particles (silica, core-shell latexes, microgels) for which characteristics can be continuously tuned either during the synthesis (variation of the particles’ wettability or deformability) or in situ by using a stimulus (pH, salt, temperature…).
Emulsions stabilized by such particles are stimuli responsive and their destabilization can be triggered on demand. We study and report the mechanisms of particle adsorption, the interactions between particles anchored at interfaces and the resulting properties of emulsions.
Such study allows us to draw general concepts governing the emulsions
stabilization/destabilization and to control their end-use properties via the formulation or the emulsification process (temperature, shear).
Colloidal particle stabilized-emulsions can be used as templates to synthesize more
complex materials as illustrated by the elaboration of capsules allowing a thermally controlled delivery of their content or by the production of tailored silica macrocellular foams.

Pour plus d'informations, merci de contacter Stocco A.