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Pickering emulsions stabilized by oppositely charged colloids: Stability and pattern formation
Sam David Christdoss Pushpam, ,
Published in American Physical Society
2015
Volume: 92
   
Issue: 5
Abstract
A binary mixture of oppositely charged colloids can be used to stabilize water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsions. A Monte Carlo simulation study to address the effect of charge ratio of colloids on the stability of Pickering emulsions is presented. The colloidal particles at the interface are modeled as aligned dipolar hard spheres, with attractive interaction between unlike-charged and repulsive interaction between like-charged particles. The optimum composition (fraction of positively charged particles) required for the stabilization corresponds to a minimum in the interaction energy per particle. In addition, for each charge ratio, there is a range of compositions where emulsions can be stabilized. The structural arrangement of particles or the pattern formation at the emulsion interface is strongly influenced by the charge ratio. We find well-mixed isotropic, square, and hexagonal arrangements of particles on the emulsion surface for different compositions at a given charge ratio. The distribution of coordination numbers is calculated to characterize structural features. The simulation study is useful for the rational design of Pickering emulsifications wherein oppositely charged colloids are used, and for the control of pattern formation that can be useful for the synthesis of colloidosomes and porous shells derived thereof. © 2015 American Physical Society.
About the journal
JournalData powered by TypesetPhysical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
PublisherData powered by TypesetAmerican Physical Society
ISSN15393755
Open AccessYes
Concepts (15)
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    Binary mixtures
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    Charged particles
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    Emulsification
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    Emulsions
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    Intelligent systems
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    Monte carlo methods
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    Attractive interactions
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    DIPOLAR HARD SPHERES
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    HEXAGONAL ARRANGEMENTS
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    Interaction energies
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    Oil-in-water emulsions
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    OPPOSITELY CHARGED COLLOIDS
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    Repulsive interactions
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    STRUCTURAL ARRANGEMENT
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    Colloids