Froth flotation via microparticle stabilized foams

Interfacial Behavior of Biodegradable Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-Pluronic F127 Nanoparticles and Its Impact on Pickering Emulsion Stability

Biodegradable nanoparticle-based emulsions exhibit immense potential in various applications, particularly in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. This study delves into the intricate interfacial behavior of Pluronic F127 modified poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA-F127) nanoparticles, a crucial determinant of their ability to stabilize Pickering emulsions. Employing a combination of Langmuir balance, surface tension, and diffusion coefficient measurements, we investigate the interfacial dynamics of PLGA-F127 nanoparticles under varying temperature and ionic strength conditions. Theoretical calculations are employed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms governing these phenomena. Our findings reveal a profound influence of temperature-dependent Pluronic layer behavior and electrostatic and steric interactions on the interfacial dynamics. Nonlinear changes in surface tension are observed, reflecting the interplay of these factors. Particle aggregation is found to be prevalent at elevated temperatures and ionic strengths, compromising the stability and emulsification efficiency of the formed emulsions. This work provides insights into the rational design of stable and efficient biodegradable nanoparticle-based Pickering emulsions, broadening their potential applications in various fields.

Interaction of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles at fluid interfaces

HYPOTHESIS

Adsorption and localization of nanoparticles at fluid interfaces are key factors in processes like transport through membranes or emulsion stabilization. Adsorption of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and Pluronic coated PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) were studied at three different fluid interfaces. The effect of particle surface modification and type of interface was investigated with the aim of fine tuning interfacial interaction of the nanoparticles.

EXPERIMENTS

Surface tension measurements were carried out to determine the surface activity and adsorption kinetics of the particles. Particles layers at the air/water interface were further studied using the Langmuir balance technique by recording the surface pressure-area isotherms. Interfacial rheological measurements were performed to characterize the structural properties of the nanoparticle interfacial films.

FINDINGS

Interfacial adsorption and its kinetics were explained by the diffusion controlled adsorption theory and considering the energy barrier of particle transport to the interface. Surface modification by Pluronic increased the interfacial activity of nanoparticles at all interfaces. Surface activity of PLGA-Pluronic particles could be described by the contributions of both the PLGA NPs and the effective portion of their Pluronic shell. Both particle films present mainly elastic dilatational properties suggesting that particles are in kinetically separated state.

Particle stabilized aqueous foams at different length scales: synergy between silica particles and alkylamines

Nanoparticles can be efficient foaming agents. Yet, the detailed mechanisms of foam stabilization by these particles remain unclear. In most cases, the foamability and foam stability of a system have to be determined empirically. We used a multiscale approach to reveal how the microscopic properties of the nanoparticle dispersion are translated into their foaming behavior at the macroscopic scale. As a model system we used silica nanoparticles that were hydrophobized by the in situ adsorption of short-chain alkylamines of chain length C5 to C8. We used fluorescence spectroscopy and electrophoretic mobility measurements to characterize the bulk behavior of the nanoparticles with adsorbed amines. The interfacial behavior was probed by compressing particle monolayers while monitoring the surface tension. The macroscopic foamability and foam stability were evaluated. There are strong correlations between the system properties at all length scales. The most prominent effects are observed at a critical bulk concentration of amines at which the nanoparticles start to aggregate due to hydrophobic interactions. Our study shows how the foam properties are related to the features of the bulk dispersions and to the ordering of particles at the air/water interface. The present results help to understand the surfactant concentration dependent stages of foaming behavior of in situ hydrophobized nanoparticles.

Self-assembly of fatty acids in the presence of amines and cationic components

Fatty acids can self-assemble under various shapes in the presence of amines or cationic components. We assemble and compare these types of self-assembly leading toward a catanionic system either with a cationic surfactant or with an amine component playing the role of counter-ion. First, we focus on the molar ratio as a key driving parameter. Known and yet un-known values from other quantities governing the colloidal properties of these systems such as structural surface charge, osmotic pressure, molecular segregation, rigidity, in plane colloidal interactions and melting transition are discussed. We include also recent results obtained on the interfacial and foaming properties of these systems. We will highlight the specificity of these self-assemblies leading to unusual macroscopic properties rich of robust applications.