Temperature induced formation of particle coated non-spherical droplets.

Abstract

Herein we offer a simple method to produce non-spherical emulsion droplets stabilized by freshly formed Mg(OH)(2) nanoparticles (MPs). The non-spherical degree of droplets as a function of experiment conditions was investiged and the origins of the presence of non-spherical droplets were discussed. The results of optical microscope images show that stable spherical droplets can be fused into non-spherical at given aging temperature. It is also recognized that particle concentration, oil/water ratio and aging time significantly affect droplet fusion and excess particles that are not adsorbed on the oil/water interface are helpful in restraining droplet fusion. Based on the TEM, XRD and Fluorescence confocal microscopy results, the origins of droplet fusion are inferred from the presence of vacant holes in the particle layer. Because of Oswald ripening, particles on droplet surfaces grow larger than the freshly precipitated ones under a given aging temperature. The growth of particles results in the reduction of total cover area of particle layer and thus creates vacant holes in the particle layer which would cause partial coalescence of droplets once they collide. Thus, these findings can offer a simple alternative to obtain a large amount of non-spherical emulsion droplets but also can help the preparation of non-spherical colloid particles.