Affiliation:
1. Division of Energy Matter, and Systems, School of Science and Engineering University of Missouri‐Kansas City Kansas City MO 64110 USA
2. Materials Physics and Applications Division Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos NM 87545 USA
3. Laboratory for Biomolecular Modeling École Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) Lausanne CH‐1015 Switzerland
4. Blue Brain Project École Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) Campus Biotech Geneva CH‐1202 Switzerland
Abstract
AbstractStabilizing liquid–liquid interfaces, whether between miscible or immiscible liquids, is crucial for a wide range of applications, including energy storage, microreactors, and biomimetic structures. In this study, a versatile approach for stabilizing the water‐oil interface is presented using the morphological transitions that occur during the self‐assembly of anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants mixed with fatty acid oils. The morphological transitions underlying this approach are characterized and extensively studied through small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), rheometry, and microscopy techniques. Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) as a simulation tool is adopted to investigate these morphological transitions both in the equilibrium ternary system as well as in the dynamic condition of the water‐oil interface. Such a versatile strategy holds promise for enhancing applications such as liquid‐in‐liquid 3D printing. Moreover, it has the potential to revolutionize a wide range of fields where stabilizing liquid–liquid interfaces not only offers unprecedented opportunities for fine‐tuning nanostructural morphologies but also imparts interesting practical features to the resulting liquid shapes. These features include perfusion capabilities, self‐healing, and porosity, which could have significant implications for various industries.
Funder
National Science Foundation