Production of Particle-Stabilized Nonspherical Emulsion Drops in Simple Shear Flow

• Published in: Chemical engineering & technology Vol. 38; no. 8; pp. 1490 - 1493
• Main Authors: Merkel, Tobias, Gräf, Volker, Walz, Elke, Schuchmann, Heike P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.08.2015; WILEY‐VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Chemical engineering; Cosmetics; Devices; Emulsification; Emulsions; Foods; Formations; Microfluidics; Nonspherical drops; Particle-stabilized drops; Pickering stabilization; Shear flow; Simple shear
• ISSN: 0930-7516; 1521-4125
• DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201500068

Nonspherical drops are of interest in the formation of microcapsules in life sciences like food, pharmacy, and cosmetics, agro and fine chemicals as well as material sciences. Out of many systems, particle‐stabilized emulsion drops, so‐called Pickering emulsions, exhibit an interesting formulation. Systems with Pickering particles applied in an excess amount were investigated. During deformation, the particles fully covered the enlarged drop interfaces and prevented its relaxation to a spherical drop shape. Nonspherical drops could be produced in simple shear flow using an adequate process routine. The production in a simple device is a promising high‐throughput alternative to microfluidic devices. Nonspherical drops are of increasing interest in the formation of microcapsules in life as well as material sciences. The production of nonspherical drops in simple shear flow is demonstrated. The drops are stabilized by particles which are situated in the interface and prevent the drops' relaxation. This simple approach is a promising high‐throughput alternative to microfluidic devices.