Controlling structure of materials derived from spinodally decomposing liquids

Abstract

Arresting morphological evolution of spinodally decomposing heterogeneous mixtures via the addition of colloidal particles has resulted in the discovery of new classes of bicontinuous materials, viz., bicontinuous interfacially jammed emulsion gels (bijels) and most recently bicontinuous intraphase jammed emulsion gels (bipjels). Here, we demonstrate how the extent of particle wettability and particle–particle interactions govern the ultimate structure formed. We present the multi-phase lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) integrated with a discrete particle model with two particle–particle collision models, the classic hard-sphere model and a new bonding collision model, to predict the final state of spinodally decomposing fluid mixtures containing solid particles. We show that the elastic collision model yields either the formation of emulsions or bijels, while only the bonding collision model on particles with preferential wettability for one phase can predict bipjels formation. In the case of bipjels, a delicate balance between the dynamics of evolving interface and the strength of particle–particle aggregates is required to restrict the interfacial motion. These results are consistent with experimental findings, suggesting that the presence of smaller particles with high particle–particle interactions can yield the formation of bipjels and consequent isolation of hierarchically porous materials.

Bijels as a Fluid Labyrinth for Drugs: The Effect of Nanoparticles on the Release Kinetics of Ethosuximide and Dimethyl Fumarate

“…Jansen and Harting, 26 using the multi-phase lattice Boltzmann method, demonstrated that the fluid ratio and particle wettability have a crucial effect on the formation of bijel-like structures versus Pickering emulsions. Subsequent simulations 27 have shown how the extent of particle−particle interactions, particle wettability, size, and diffusion determines the microstructure of the bijels in bulk samples and thin fluid films. 28 Recently, several experimental methodologies for preparing the bijel-like structure have been proposed.…”

Effect of equilibration time on the structural gradient in the vertical direction for bicontinuous microemulsions in Winsor-III and -IV systems

“…For t eq = 10 min, according to Fig. S9B (ESI ‡), b at vertical stage position 15 mm decreased with cycles from 0-2 h (cycles [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12], increased between 2 and 3 h (cycles 13-17), and reached a plateau after 3 h (cycle 18), suggesting…”

“…Bicontinuous microemulsions (BMEs), consisting of thermodynamically stable nanodomains of water and oil separated by surfactant monolayers, are a unique medium potentially useful for many applications, such as enhanced oil recovery (EOR), [1][2][3] hosting enzyme reactions involving apolar substrates, 4 electrolytes for flow batteries, [5][6][7] templating media for nanomaterials, [8][9][10][11][12] and drug delivery vehicles. [13][14][15] BMEs composed of two immiscible polymers and AB-type block copolymers, the latter serving as surfactant, are employed as solid electrolytes for batteries and other materials.…”

Dynamics of a spherical colloid at a liquid interface: A lattice Boltzmann study

“…Colloidal particles trapped at fluid-fluid interface can be seen in plethora of systems, such as stabilization of emulsions [1][2][3] , foams 4,5 , bijels [6][7][8][9] and liquid marbles 10,11 . Colloidal particles are spontaneously adsorbed on to the fluid-fluid interface and energetics govern the state of the system to reach a minimum energy as first observed by Ramsden 12 and Pickering 13 .…”