Study on the stabilization of emulsion formed by Two different inclusion Complexes

Synergistic effects of xanthan gum and β-cyclodextrin on properties and stability of vegetable oil-based whipped cream

The synergistic effects between xanthan gum (XG) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) on the properties and stability of vegetable oil-based whipped cream stabilized by kidney bean protein aggregates was investigated. The visual appearance, SEM, TEM, CLSM, FT-IR and LF-NMR results showed that when the ratio of XG to β-CD in the XG-β-CD complex was appropriate, the hydrogen bonding effect between β-CD and XG was significant enhanced, the three-dimensional network structure has the highest density, the emulsion droplets were the smallest and evenly distributed. The unique tapered microstructure of β-CD acted as a bridge between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, effectively preventing the aggregation of oil droplets and establishing a flexible support system between oil droplets; while the flexible molecular structure of XG could support Pickering emulsion system. The XG-β-CD complex had a synergistic effect with protein aggregates, making it ideal for use in whipped cream products. This study explored the stability mechanism of β-CD in the Pickering emulsion-based whipped cream system, providing valuable insights into producing whole plant-based whipped cream by texturizing highly unsaturated oils. This effectively solves the problem of inadequate intake of unsaturated oil for individuals who consume excessive amounts of animal-derived fats.

Ejected microcrystals probe jammed states of droplets in cyclodextrin-based emulsions

The cyclodextrin (CD)-based emulsions exhibit complex instability behaviors such as rapid flocculation and creaming, and how to capture droplet dispersion states of the emulsions remains a great challenge. Here we prepare the CD-based emulsions with different oil-water volume ratios and CD concentrations by using high-pressure homogenization, and characterize the emulsion droplets by using optical microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. We evaluate the effects of homogenization pressure on the stability of the emulsions, identify armored droplets with different surface features, measure interfacial concentrations of adsorbed ICs microcrystals, and observe ejection of the oil/CD inclusion complexes (ICs) microcrystals from the droplet surface. The droplet dispersion states are sensitive to the dynamic buildup and evolving morphologies of the interfacial microcrystals, and there are clear correlations between the properties of the ejected microcrystals and the characteristics of the emulsions. We ascribe the subsequent ejection of ICs microcrystals from the droplet surface to consolidation and deformation of the films formed between neighboring droplets. The ejection of the ICs microcrystals affords a simple method to detect the droplet-droplet interactions and phase transitions in the CD-based emulsions, which might be a generic feature in the broader context of the creaming processes of emulsions.

Study on the relationships between the oil HLB value and emulsion stabilization

In order to study the relationship between the HLB value of oil and emulsion stabilization, the optimal formation of emulsification system was determined, and then, the properties of emulsion, such as particle size, stability, interfacial tension and zeta potential, were tested by laser particle analyzer, stability analyzer, and interfacial tensiometer. Experimental results showed that the optimal ratio of emulsification was Tween 80 : Span 80 = 5 : 5. Meanwhile, when the HLB value of the emulsification system was close to that of oil, the emulsion exhibited the best stability. This phenomenon is due to the fact that when the HLB values are close, the surfactant molecules are arranged more closely on the oil-water interface, leading to smaller sized emulsion droplet, which is conducive to emulsion stability. This study provides new insights into the effective adjustment of emulsion stability.

Electrochemistry under confinement

Although the term 'confinement' regularly appears in electrochemical literature, elevated by continuous progression in the research of nanomaterials and nanostructures, up until today the various aspects of confinement considered in electrochemistry are rather scattered individual contributions outside the established disciplines in this field. Thanks to a number of highly original publications and the growing appreciation of confinement as an overarching link between different exciting new research strategies, 'electrochemistry under confinement' is the process of forming a research discipline of its own. To aid the development a coherent terminology and joint basic concepts, as crucial factors for this transformation, this review provides an overview on the different effects on electrochemical processes known to date that can be caused by confinement. It also suggests where boundaries to other effects, such as nano-effects could be drawn. To conceptualize the vast amount of research activities revolving around the main concepts of confinement, we define six types of confinement and select two of them to discuss the state of the art and anticipated future developments in more detail. The first type concerns nanochannel environments and their applications for electrodeposition and for electrochemical sensing. The second type covers the rather newly emerging field of colloidal single entity confinement in electrochemistry. In these contexts, we will for instance address the influence of confinement on the mass transport and electric field distributions and will link the associated changes in local species concentration or in the local driving force to altered reaction kinetics and product selectivity. Highlighting pioneering works and exciting recent developments, this educational review does not only aim at surveying and categorizing the state-of-the-art, but seeks to specifically point out future perspectives in the field of confinement-controlled electrochemistry.

Advances of supramolecular interaction systems for improved oil recovery (IOR)

Improved oil recovery (IOR) includes enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and other technologies (i.e. fracturing, water injection optimization, etc.), have become important methods to increase the oil/gas production in petroleum industry. However, conventional flooding systems always encounter the problems of low efficiency, high cost and complicated synthetic procedures for harsh reservoirs conditions. In recent decades, the supramolecular interactions are introduced into IOR processes to simplify the synthetic procedures, alter their structures and properties with bespoke functionalities and responsiveness suitable for different conditions. Herein, we primarily review the fundamentals of several supramolecular interactions, including hydrophobic association, hydrogen bond, electrostatic interaction, host-guest recognition, metal-ligand coordination and dynamic covalent bond from intrinsic principles and extrinsic functions. Then, the descriptions of supramolecular interactions in IOR processes from categories and advances are focused on the following variables: polymer, surfactant, surfactant/polymer (SP) complex for EOR and viscoelasticity surfactant (VES) for clean hydraulic fracturing aspects. Finally, the field applications, challenges and prospects for supramolecular interactions in IOR processes are involved and systematically addressed. The development of supramolecular interactions can open the way toward adaptive and evolutive IOR technology, a further step towards the cost-effective production of petroleum industry.

A simple way to synthesize a nano-scale stable epoxy emulsion for sizing CF/epoxy composites

Emulsion prepared with EE-P20 (“lipophilic–hydrophilic–hydrophobic” structure), as the emulsifier can improve the interface performance and moisture resistance of CF.