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Ruiz-Martínez L, Leermakers F, Stoyanov S, van der Gucht J. Tunable Capillary Suspensions from Aqueous Two-Phase Systems. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2025; 41:11604-11613. [PMID: 40295175 PMCID: PMC12080324 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c00749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2025] [Revised: 04/17/2025] [Accepted: 04/18/2025] [Indexed: 04/30/2025]
Abstract
Adding small amounts of a (partially) immiscible fluid to a suspension can create liquid bridges between particles, leading to interconnected networks known as capillary suspensions. This can be used to structure suspensions and adjust their rheological properties. Typically, these suspensions involve water and oil, where the minority liquid phase wets the particles dispersed in the majority phase. Here, we have demonstrated that oil-free capillary suspensions can also be formed in aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS), where a phase separation occurs between two hydrophilic polymers, dextran and polyethylene glycol (PEG). In this system, silica particles form a self-standing gel when a small amount of the PEG-rich phase is added to the dextran-rich phase. Despite the ultralow interfacial tension in ATPS, a significant increase in storage modulus is achievable. Capillary bridges have been visualized using confocal microscopy. By adjusting the amount of the PEG-rich phase (secondary phase), the network strength and yield stress can be finely tuned, enabling a wide range of rheological responses. Due to the absence of oil and the use of hydrophilic, biocompatible polymers, these capillary suspensions have potential applications in biomedical (where living cells can act as particles), pharmaceutical, and food formulations, as well as in home and personal care products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Ruiz-Martínez
- Physical
Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University
and Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Frans Leermakers
- Physical
Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University
and Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
| | - Simeon Stoyanov
- Physical
Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University
and Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
- Food,
Chemical, and Biotechnology cluster, Singapore
Institute of Technology, 10 Dover Drive, Singapore 138683, Singapore
| | - Jasper van der Gucht
- Physical
Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University
and Research, Wageningen 6708 WE, The Netherlands
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2
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Haessig C, Landman J, Scholten E, Jarray A. How bulk liquid viscosity shapes capillary suspensions. J Colloid Interface Sci 2025; 678:400-409. [PMID: 39255597 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 08/30/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Capillary suspensions offer a new approach to generate novel materials. They are ternary liquid-liquid-solid systems characterized by particles connected by liquid bridges of one fluid suspended in a second immiscible bulk fluid. The viscosity of the bulk liquid can be modulated to customize the structure and rheological properties of capillary suspensions. Experiments and simulations: Using experiments and numerical simulations, we investigated capillary suspensions in the pendular state, using silica particles and water as a bridging liquid. To modulate the viscosity of the bulk fluid, we use different ratios of either dodecane and diisononyl phthalate, or silicone oils with varying chain lengths as bulk liquids. The rheological behavior was characterized using the maximum storage and loss moduli and the yielding behavior. This was related to structural changes of the systems, which was visualized using confocal laser scanning microscopy. In addition, we used Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to gain more insights into the behavior of two particles connected by a liquid bridge for various bulk liquids. FINDINGS Experiments show that higher bulk liquid viscosity reduces strength, yield stress, and yield strain in capillary suspensions, which is partly attributed to a reduced inter-connectivity of the percolating network. This is caused by the breakup of liquid bridges occurring at shorter distances in the presence of highly viscous bulk liquids, as indicated by numerical simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Haessig
- Physics and Physical Chemistry of Foods, Wageningen University, PO Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Jasper Landman
- Physics and Physical Chemistry of Foods, Wageningen University, PO Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Elke Scholten
- Physics and Physical Chemistry of Foods, Wageningen University, PO Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Ahmed Jarray
- Physics and Physical Chemistry of Foods, Wageningen University, PO Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands; Multi Scale Mechanics (MSM), MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Twente, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, the Netherlands.
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3
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Dyab AKF, Paunov VN. 3D structured capillary cell suspensions aided by aqueous two-phase systems. J Mater Chem B 2024; 12:10215-10220. [PMID: 39377243 DOI: 10.1039/d4tb01296h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/09/2024]
Abstract
We report a facile technique for 3D structuring of living cells by forming capillary cell suspensions based on an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and dextran (DEX) solutions. We demonstrate the formation of water-in-water (DEX-in-PEG) capillary bridges using concentrated suspensions of yeast cells which show enhanced rheological properties and distinctive 3D patterns. Capillary structured cell suspensions can potentially find applications in novel ways of 3D cell culturing, instant tissue engineering and many biomedical investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amro K F Dyab
- Department of Chemistry, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay Batyr 53, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan.
- Colloids & Advanced Materials Group, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia 61519, Egypt
| | - Vesselin N Paunov
- Department of Chemistry, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay Batyr 53, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan.
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4
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Edible Oleogels Fabricated by Dispersing Cellulose Particles in Oil Phase: Effects from the Water Addition. Food Hydrocoll 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2022.108040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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5
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Bindgen S, Allard J, Koos E. The behavior of capillary suspensions at diverse length scales: From single capillary bridges to bulk. Curr Opin Colloid Interface Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cocis.2021.101557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Kim J, Lee J. Liquid-Suspended and Liquid-Bridged Liquid Metal Microdroplets. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2108069. [PMID: 35150080 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202108069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Liquid metals (LMs) and alloys are attracting increasing attention owing to their combined advantages of high conductivity and fluidity, and have shown promising results in various emerging applications. Patterning technologies using LMs are being actively researched; among them, direct ink writing is considered a potentially viable approach for efficient LM additive manufacturing. However, true LM additive manufacturing with arbitrary printing geometries remains challenging because of the intrinsically low rheological strength of LMs. Herein, colloidal suspensions of LM droplets amenable to additive manufacturing (or "3D printing") are realized using formulations containing minute amounts of liquid capillary bridges. The resulting LM suspensions exhibit exceptionally high rheological strength with yield stress values well above 103 Pa, attributed to inter-droplet capillary attraction mediated by the liquid bridges adsorbed on the oxide skin of the LM droplets. Such liquid-bridged LM suspensions, as extrudable ink-type filaments, are based on uncurable continuous-phase liquid media, have a long pot-life and outstanding shear-thinning properties, and shape retention, demonstrating excellent rheological processability suitable for 3D printing. These findings will enable the emergence of a variety of new advanced applications that necessitate LM patterning into highly complicated multidimensional structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieun Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, 17058, Korea
| | - Joohyung Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, 17058, Korea
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8
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Bindgen S, Bossler F, Allard J, Koos E. Connecting particle clustering and rheology in attractive particle networks. SOFT MATTER 2020; 16:8380-8393. [PMID: 32814939 DOI: 10.1039/d0sm00861c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The structural properties of suspensions and other multiphase systems are vital to overall processability, functionality and acceptance among consumers. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the intrinsic connection between the microstructure of a material and the resulting rheological properties. Here, we demonstrate how the transitions in the microstructural conformations can be quantified and correlated to rheological measurements. We find semi-local parameters from graph theory, the mathematical study of networks, to be useful in linking structure and rheology. Our results, using capillary suspensions as a model system, show that the use of the clustering coefficient, in combination with the coordination number, is able to capture not only the agglomeration of particles, but also measures the formation of groups. These phenomena are tightly connected to the rheological properties. The present sparse networks cannot be described by established techniques such as betweenness centrality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Bindgen
- KU Leuven, Chemical Engineering Department, Celestijnenlaan 200f, box 2424, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Frank Bossler
- KU Leuven, Chemical Engineering Department, Celestijnenlaan 200f, box 2424, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Jens Allard
- KU Leuven, Chemical Engineering Department, Celestijnenlaan 200f, box 2424, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Erin Koos
- KU Leuven, Chemical Engineering Department, Celestijnenlaan 200f, box 2424, 3001 Leuven, Belgium.
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Yang J, Park HS, Kim J, Mok J, Kim T, Shin EK, Kwak C, Lim S, Kim CB, Park JS, Na HB, Choi D, Lee J. Yield Stress Enhancement of a Ternary Colloidal Suspension via the Addition of Minute Amounts of Sodium Alginate to the Interparticle Capillary Bridges. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:9424-9435. [PMID: 32659098 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c01284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Capillary suspensions are ternary solid-liquid-liquid systems produced via the addition of a small amount of secondary fluid to the bulk fluid that contained the dispersed solid particles. The secondary fluid could exert strong capillary forces between the particles and dramatically change the rheological properties of the suspension. So far, research has focused on capillary suspensions that consist of additive-free fluids, whereas capillary suspensions with additives, particularly those of large molecular weight that are highly relevant for industrial purposes, have been relatively less studied. In this study, we performed a systematic analysis of the properties of capillary suspensions that consist of paraffin oil (bulk phase), water (secondary phase), and α-Al2O3 microparticles (particle phase), in which the aqueous secondary phase contained an important eco-friendly polymeric binder, sodium alginate (SA). It was determined that the yield stress of the suspension increased significantly with the increase in the SA content in the aqueous secondary phase, which was attributed to the synergistic effect of the capillary force and hydrogen bonding force that may be related to the increase in the number of capillary bridges. The amounts of SA used to induce a significant change in the yield stress in this study were very small (<0.02% of the total sample volume). The addition of Ca2+ ions to the SA-containing secondary phase further increased the yield stress with possible gelation of the SA chains-in the presence of excess Ca2+ ions, however, the yield stress decreased because of the microscopic phase separation that occurred in the aqueous secondary phase. The microstructures of the sintered porous materials that were produced by using capillary suspensions as precursors were qualitatively well correlated to the rheological behavior of the precursor suspensions, suggesting a new method for the subtle control of the microstructures of porous materials using the addition of minute amounts of polymeric additives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeewon Yang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do 17058, Korea
| | - Hyun-Su Park
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do 17058, Korea
| | - Jieun Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do 17058, Korea
| | - Jihye Mok
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do 17058, Korea
| | - Taeyeon Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do 17058, Korea
| | - Eun-Kyung Shin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do 17058, Korea
| | - Chaesu Kwak
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do 17058, Korea
| | - Sehyeong Lim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do 17058, Korea
| | - Chae Bin Kim
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, 2 Busandaehak-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Korea
| | - Jong-Sung Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do 17058, Korea
| | - Hyon Bin Na
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do 17058, Korea
| | - Dalsu Choi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do 17058, Korea
| | - Joohyung Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Myongji University, 116 Myongji-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do 17058, Korea
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10
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Two step yielding in soft materials. Adv Colloid Interface Sci 2020; 282:102179. [PMID: 32622151 DOI: 10.1016/j.cis.2020.102179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A review is presented on the topic of two-step yielding observed in complex fluids that cover a broad variety of materials ranging from colloidal gels, attractive glasses, emulsions, suspensions, and several commercial paste-like materials. The common features in various systems displaying two-step yielding behavior are the presence of two characteristic forces between the interacting particles or two varying representative length or time scales. This focused review aims to provide physical insights, mechanistic understanding of the two-step yielding and other associated rheological consequences of this nonlinear behavior. A discussion is provided on the microstructural details with an overview of different experimental systems exhibiting double-yielding studied so far highlighting the similarities and differences among them. Particularly, the effects of continuous phase properties, dispersed particle phase factors (size, shape, softness and surface charge) and external force field (electric, magnetic, thermal and shear flows) on two-step yielding are considered.
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11
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De Schutter G, Lesage K. Active control of properties of concrete: a (p)review. MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES 2018; 51:123. [PMID: 30393457 PMCID: PMC6191022 DOI: 10.1617/s11527-018-1256-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Concrete properties to a large extent depend on mix design and processing, currently leaving only limited options to actively modify concrete properties during or after casting. This paper gives a (p)review on a more advanced active control of properties of concrete, based on the application of external signals to trigger an intended response in the material, either in fresh or hardened state. Current practices in concrete industry that could be considered as active control are briefly summarized. More advanced active control mechanisms as studied in other fields, e.g. based on hydrogels and other functional polymers, are reviewed and some principles are listed. A specific focus is further given on potential methods for active rheology control. Based on the concepts developed in other fields, substantial progress could be made in order to achieve active control of fresh and hardened concrete properties. However, several challenges remain, like the stability and functioning of the responsive material in a cementitious environment, the applicability of the control signal in a cementitious material, and the economy, logistics and safety of a control system on a construction site or in precast industry. Finding solutions to these challenges will lead to marvelous opportunities in general, and for 3D and even 4D printing more particularly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geert De Schutter
- Magnel Laboratory for Concrete Research, Department of Structural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karel Lesage
- Magnel Laboratory for Concrete Research, Department of Structural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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12
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Roh S, Velev OD. Nanomaterials Fabrication by Interfacial Templating and Capillary Engineering in Multiphasic Liquids. AIChE J 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/aic.16348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sangchul Roh
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina
| | - Orlin D. Velev
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering North Carolina State University Raleigh North Carolina
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13
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Hauf K, Koos E. Structure of capillary suspensions and their versatile applications in the creation of smart materials. MRS COMMUNICATIONS 2018; 8:332-342. [PMID: 30079275 PMCID: PMC6071843 DOI: 10.1557/mrc.2018.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
In this article, we review recent research in the field of capillary suspensions and highlight a variety of applications in the field of smart materials. Capillary suspensions are liquid-liquid-solid ternary systems where one liquid is only present in a few percent and induces a strong, capillary-induced particle network. These suspensions have a large potential for exploitation, particularly in the production of porous materials since the paste itself and the properties of the final material can be adapted. We also discuss the rheological properties of the suspension and network structure to highlight the various ways these systems can be tuned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Hauf
- Karlsruhe Institute for Technology, Institute for Mechanical Process
Engineering and Mechanics, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Erin Koos
- Karlsruhe Institute for Technology, Institute for Mechanical Process
Engineering and Mechanics, Karlsruhe, Germany
- KU Leuven, Department of Chemical Engineering, Celestijnenlaan 200f,
3001 Leuven, Belgium
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14
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Dunstan TS, Das AAK, Starck P, Stoyanov SD, Paunov VN. Capillary Structured Suspensions from In Situ Hydrophobized Calcium Carbonate Particles Suspended in a Polar Liquid Media. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:442-452. [PMID: 29239178 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b03589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate that capillary suspensions can be formed from hydrophilic calcium carbonate particles suspended in a polar continuous media and connected by capillary bridges formed of minute amounts of an immiscible secondary liquid phase. This was achieved in two different polar continuous phases, water and glycerol, and three different oils, oleic acid, isopropyl myristate, and peppermint oil as a secondary liquid phase. The capillary structuring of the suspension was made possible through local in situ hydrophobization of the calcium carbonate particles dispersed in the polar media by adding very small amounts of oleic acid to the secondary liquid phase. We observed a strong increase in the viscosity of the calcium carbonate suspension by several orders of magnitude upon addition of the secondary oil phase compared with the same suspension without secondary liquid phase or without oleic acid. The stability and the rheological properties of the obtained capillary structured materials were studied in relation to the physical properties of the system such as the particle size, interfacial tension between the primary and secondary liquid phases, as well as the particle contact angle at this liquid-liquid interface. We also determined the minimal concentrations of the secondary liquid phase at fixed particle concentration as well as the minimal particle concentration at fixed secondary phase concentration needed to form a capillary suspension. Capillary suspensions formed by this method can find application in structuring pharmaceutical and food formulations as well as a variety of home and personal care products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy S Dunstan
- School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (Chemistry), University of Hull , Hull HU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Anupam A K Das
- School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (Chemistry), University of Hull , Hull HU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Pierre Starck
- Unilever R&D Port Sunlight , Quarry Road East, Bebington, CH63 3JW, United Kingdom
| | - Simeon D Stoyanov
- Unilever R&D Vlaardingen , Olivier van Noortlaan 120, 3133 AT Vlaardingen, The Netherlands
- Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University , 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London , Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom
| | - Vesselin N Paunov
- School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (Chemistry), University of Hull , Hull HU6 7RX, United Kingdom
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