One-Step Multiple
Emulsions Driven by Interfacial
Neutralization Reaction
Posted on 2025-04-15 - 20:50
The
multicomponent structure and the large area of oil–water
interfaces make multiple emulsions promising for use in cosmetic manufacturing,
food industries, and agricultural production. However, the high energy
input and extensive use of emulsifiers in the process of multiple
emulsion preparation severely limit their application. In this work,
we propose a simple but highly efficient emulsification strategy to
realize one-step multiple emulsions. To this end, the interfacial
acid–base neutralization reaction by oleic acid and ammonia
is employed as the driving force to construct a spontaneous emulsifying
system, thus realizing emulsion formation in a low-energy manner.
Moreover, the products generated by the interfacial neutralization
reaction can act as emulsifiers to stabilize both the O/W and W/O
interfaces and construct multiple emulsions with an O/W/O structure.
Compared to conventional methods of multiple emulsion formation, the
one-step multiple emulsion method driven by an interfacial neutralization
reaction can significantly reduce the energy consumption and the emulsifier
dosage during the emulsifying process, thus avoiding the probable
environmental problems caused by the residual emulsifiers. This study
not only provides a new idea for the preparation of multiple emulsions
but also effectively promotes the development of low-surfactant emulsification
methods.