Quantifying Interfacial Thickness and Dynamic Emulsion Morphology of Carbon Nanotube Stabilized Emulsions

 

Scientific Achievement

Unique interfacial characterization of carbon nanotube stabilized emulsions combined with macroscopic understanding led to significant insight about the use of carbon nanotubes as stabilizers and ultimately catalyst supports for biphasic catalysis.

Significance and Impact

For the first time, the interfacial thickness of carbon nanotube stabilized emulsions is observed and quantified. The observed orientation of the carbon nanotubes at the interface provides insight about the functionality of the nanotubes when they serve as catalyst supports in biphasic systems.

Research Details

• Results of this work are currently under review by Langmuir

Figures illustrate the range in characterization from the macroscopic level to the interface combined with complementary droplet size distributions from acoustic spectroscopy and optical microscopy.

(Click for large figures)