Spontaneous Demulsification of Pickering Emulsion by Controlling Interfacial Tensions

Abstract

Abstract: In recent years, the applications of Pickering emulsions have expanded in cosmetic and biological systems, leading to increased interest in the adsorption behavior of fine particles on oil-water interfaces. Despite this interest, there are still many unanswered questions regarding the connection between particle adsorption and interfacial tension. To address these gaps in knowledge, our study focused on three main areas: (1) the relationship between changes in liquid-liquid interfacial tension and the physical properties of Pickering emulsions, (2) competitive adsorption of fine particles and surfactants at the liquid-liquid interface, and (3) the particle size dependence of nanoparticle adsorption capability based on measurements of surface (interfacial) tension and its thermodynamic analysis. In this short review, we will discuss the findings from our experiments, particularly the possibility of spontaneous demulsification of Pickering emulsions through the control of interfacial tension.