10.1021/acsami.6b00737.s002 Matthew D. J. Quinn Matthew D. J. Quinn Khu Vu Khu Vu Stephen Madden Stephen Madden Shannon M. Notley Shannon M. Notley Photothermal Breaking of Emulsions Stabilized with Graphene American Chemical Society 2016 block copolymer surfactants interface solution conditions photothermal heating particle wettability adsorption oil phase phase exfoliation technique phase separation graphene particles graphene wettability droplet coalescence Graphene Pristine graphene particles Emulsions Stabilized ultrastable emulsions 2016-04-07 00:00:00 Media https://acs.figshare.com/articles/media/Photothermal_Breaking_of_Emulsions_Stabilized_with_Graphene/3178966 Pristine graphene particles prepared using an aqueous phase exfoliation technique have been used to promote the stabilization of emulsions through adsorption at the oil–water interface. Highly localized phase separation of these ultrastable emulsions could, however, be induced through photothermal heating of the graphene particles at the interface exposed to near-infrared light. The graphene wettability, which is a key determinant in preventing droplet coalescence was altered through the adsorption of nonionic block copolymer surfactants. Varying the aqueous solution conditions influenced the hydration of the hydrophilic component of the surfactant providing a further opportunity to alter the overall particle wettability and, hence, stability of the emulsion. In this way, highly stable-oil-in water emulsions were produced with decane; however, water-in-oil emulsions were formed with toluene as the oil phase.