Charged colloidal particles and small mobile ions near the oil-water interface: destruction of colloidal double layer and ionic charge separation

Charge-Dipole Attraction as a Surface Interaction between Water Droplets Immersed in Organic Phases

The dynamic behavior of emulsion droplets during their interactions with one another or with solid surfaces plays a paramount role in their ultimate stability in various applications. While the interaction of oil droplets through a surrounding aqueous phase is well understood, recent studies on the interaction of water droplets through a surrounding pure organic phase showed the presence of an unexplained attraction between water droplets at relatively long ranges. In this research study, we propose fixed-surface-charge-bulk-dipole attraction as a new interaction force between water-in-oil droplets and then derive an equation for its disjoining pressure. The behavior of water droplets in the presence and absence of this charge-dipole interaction was numerically quantified using the Stokes-Reynolds-Young-Laplace model and compared to the experimental data. Numerically calculated net force curves are in excellent agreement with experimental data from the literature when charge-dipole attraction is included, while they deviate in its absence. In addition, the water droplet and thin oil film profiles in the presence and absence of charge-dipole attraction were calculated and compared. This research indicates that charge-dipole attraction can adequately explain the mysterious force observed in some studies, which demonstrates its unexplored potential to capture the physical properties and dynamic behavior of water droplets in organic phases with useful implications to unravel unidentified interactions between emulsion droplets in different industries.

Comb-type polymer-hybridized MXene nanosheets dispersible in arbitrary polar, nonpolar, and ionic solvents

Solution-based processing of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials is highly desirable, especially for the low-temperature large-area fabrication of flexible multifunctional devices. MXenes, an emerging family of 2D materials composed of transition metal carbides, carbonitrides, or nitrides, provide excellent electrical and electrochemical properties through aqueous processing. Here, we further expand the horizon of MXene processing by introducing a polymeric superdispersant for MXene nanosheets. Segmented anchor-spacer structures of a comb-type polymer, polycarboxylate ether (PCE), provide polymer grafting-like steric spacings over the van der Waals range of MXene surfaces, thereby reducing the colloidal interactions by the order of 10³, regardless of solvent. An unprecedented broad dispersibility window for Ti₃C₂T_x MXene, covering polar, nonpolar, and even ionic solvents, was achieved. Furthermore, close PCE entanglements in MXene@PCE composite films resulted in highly robust properties upon prolonged mechanical and humidity stresses.

Adsorption of Hydrophilic Silica Nanoparticles at Oil-Water Interfaces with Reversible Emulsion Stabilization by Ion Partitioning

Adsorption of particles at oil-water interfaces is the basis of Pickering emulsions, which are common in nature and industry. For hydrophilic anionic particles, electrostatic repulsion and the absence of wetting inhibit spontaneous adsorption and limit the scope of materials that can be used in emulsion-based applications. Here, we explore how adding ions that selectively partition in the two fluid phases changes the interfacial electric potential and drives particle adsorption. We add oil-soluble tetrabutyl ammonium perchlorate (TBAP) to the nonpolar phase and Ludox silica nanoparticles or silica microparticles to the aqueous phase. We find a well-defined threshold TBAP concentration, above which emulsions are stable for months. This threshold increases with the particle concentration and with the oil's dielectric constant. Adding NaClO₄ salt to water increases the threshold and causes spontaneous particle desorption and droplet coalescence even without agitation. The results are explained by a model based on the Poisson-Boltzmann theory, which predicts that the perchlorate anions (ClO₄^-) migrate into the water phase and leave behind a net positive charge in the oil. Our results show how a large class of inorganic hydrophilic, anionic nanoparticles can be used to stabilize emulsions in a reversible and stimulus-responsive way, without surface modifications.

Evidence for water ridges at oil-water interfaces: implications for ion transport

Understanding ion transport across interfaces is of fundamental importance in many processes such as liquid-liquid extraction, phase transfer catalysis, enhanced oil recovery and emulsion stabilisation. However, the factors that control ion transport across interfaces are poorly known due to a lack of knowledge of structural changes at interfaces. We studied here the effects of ionic concentration and external force on the transport of ions across the decane-water interface using classical molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that the evolution of interfacial structures during ion transfer across the interface is controlled by hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions at the interface. We also identified a new mode of ion transfer across the interface at low ionic concentrations, involving a 'water ridge', rather that the classical 'water finger'. In the water ridge mode, hydrogen bonds are not broken due to low ion levels, and the water ridge induces gradual interface deformation. Whereas, at high ionic concentrations, hydrogen bonds are broken by the strong ion electrostatic repulsion, thus inducing the formation of a water finger. We also found that the variation of the Gibbs free energy during ion transfer is directly relevant to the ionic concentration. The water ridge at low ionic concentrations, which displaces more water molecules towards the decane phase, induces less free energy variation than the water finger at high ionic concentrations.

Ionic structure around polarizable metal nanoparticles in aqueous electrolytes

Metal nanoparticles are receiving increased scientific attention owing to their unique physical and chemical properties that make them suitable for a wide range of applications in diverse fields, such as electrochemistry, biochemistry, and nanomedicine. Their high metallic polarizability is a crucial determinant that defines their electrostatic character in various electrolyte solutions. Here, we introduce a continuum-based model of a metal nanoparticle with explicit polarizability in the presence of different kinds of electrolytes. We employ several, variously sophisticated, theoretical approaches, corroborated by Monte Carlo simulations in order to elucidate the basic electrostatics principles of the model. We investigate how different kinds of asymmetries between the ions result in non-trivial phenomena, such as charge separation and a build-up of a so-called zero surface-charge double layer.

Recent advances in liquid mixtures in electric fields

When immiscible liquids are subject to electric fields interfacial forces arise due to a difference in the permittivity or the conductance of the liquids, and these forces lead to shape change in droplets or to interfacial instabilities. In this topical review we discuss recent advances in the theory and experiments of liquids in electric fields with an emphasis on liquids which are initially miscible and demix under the influence of an external field. In purely dielectric liquids demixing occurs if the electrode geometry leads to sufficiently large field gradients. In polar liquids field gradients are prevalent due to screening by dissociated ions irrespective of the electrode geometry. We examine the conditions for these 'electro prewetting' transitions and highlight few possible systems where they might be important, such as in stabilization of colloids and in gating of pores in membranes.

Colloid–oil–water-interface interactions in the presence of multiple salts: charge regulation and dynamics

The salt-induced dislodgement of charged colloidal particles from an oil–water interface is investigated theoretically and experimentally.

Colloidal capsules: nano- and microcapsules with colloidal particle shells

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the synthesis strategies and the progress made so far of bringing colloidal capsules closer to technical and biomedical applications.

Ionic hydration-induced evolution of decane–water interfacial tension

We show that ionic hydration is responsible for the non-monotonic variation of the interfacial tension with increasing ionic concentration.

Tuning Colloid-Interface Interactions by Salt Partitioning

We show that the interaction of an oil-dispersed colloidal particle with an oil-water interface is highly tunable from attractive to repulsive, either by varying the sign of the colloidal charge via charge regulation or by varying the difference in hydrophilicity between the dissolved cations and anions. In addition, we investigate the yet unexplored interplay between the self-regulated colloidal surface charge distribution with the planar double layer across the oil-water interface and the spherical one around the colloid. Our findings explain recent experiments and have direct relevance for tunable Pickering emulsions.

Anomalous system-size dependence of electrolytic cells with an electrified oil-water interface

Manipulation of the charge of the dielectric interface between two bulk liquids not only enables the adjustment of the interfacial tension but also controls the storage capacity of ions in the ionic double layers adjacent to each side of the interface. However, adjusting this interfacial charge by static external electric fields is difficult since the external electric fields are readily screened by ionic double layers that form in the vicinity of the external electrodes. This leaves the liquid-liquid interface, which is at a macroscopic distance from the electrodes, unaffected. In this study we show theoretically, in agreement with recent experiments, that control over this surface charge at the liquid-liquid interface is nonetheless possible for macroscopically large but finite closed systems in equilibrium, even when the distance between the electrode and interface is orders of magnitude larger than the Debye screening lengths of the two liquids. We identify a crossover system-size below which the interface and the electrodes are effectively coupled. Our calculations of the interfacial tension for various electrode potentials are in good agreement with recent experimental data.

Microscopic segregation of hydrophilic ions in critical binary aqueous solvents

Solid surfaces suspended in critical aqueous binary mixtures containing hydrophilic salt have recently been found to exhibit anomalous interactions, and a possible mechanism is provided by the asymmetric solvation preferences of weakly and strongly hydrophilic cations and anions, respectively. Here we address this mechanism by studying interfacial ion distributions in a critical binary mixture of water and 2,6-dimethylpyridine containing potassium chloride at temperatures below the lower critical point, using grazing-incidence X-ray fluorescence from the liquid-vapour interface. Our data provide direct and unambiguous experimental evidence for microscopic segregation of hydrophilic ions in critical aqueous binary mixtures, thereby supporting the important role of asymmetric ion solvation in the above mentioned anomalous force. However, the experimental data are only qualitatively reproduced by state-of-the-art theoretical calculations, demonstrating the need of a microscopic theoretical model including asymmetric ion solvation.

Tunable soft structure in charged fluids confined by dielectric interfaces

Fluids of charged particles act as the supporting medium for chemical reactions and physical, dynamical, and biological processes. The local structure in an electrolytic background is deformed by micro- and nanoscopic polarizable objects. Vice versa, the forces between the objects are regulated by the cohesive properties of the background. We study here the range and strength of these forces and the microscopic origin from which they emerge. We find the forces to be sensitively dependent on the material properties of the charged fluid and the immersed solutes. The induced interactions can be varied over decades, offering high tunability and aided by accurate theory, control in experiments and applications. To distinguish correlational effects from simple ionic screening, we describe electrolyte-induced forces between neutral objects. The interplay of thermal motion, short-range repulsions, and electrostatic forces is responsible for a soft structure in the fluid. This structure changes near polarizable interfaces and causes diverse attractions between confining walls that seem well-exploited by microbiological systems. For parameters that correspond to monovalent electrolytes in biologically and technologically relevant aqueous environments, we find induced forces between nanoscopic areas of the order of piconewtons over a few nanometers.

Distribution of counterions and interaction between two similarly charged dielectric slabs: roles of charge discreteness and dielectric inhomogeneity

The distribution of counterions and the electrostatic interaction between two similarly charged dielectric slabs is studied in the strong coupling limit. Dielectric inhomogeneities and discreteness of charge on the slabs have been taken into account. It is found that the amount of dielectric constant difference between the slabs and the environment, and the discreteness of charge on the slabs have opposing effects on the equilibrium distribution of the counterions. At small interslab separations, increasing the amount of dielectric constant difference increases the tendency of the counterions toward the middle of the intersurface space between the slabs and the discreteness of charge pushes them to the surfaces of the slabs. In the limit of point charges, independent of the strength of dielectric inhomogeneity, counterions distribute near the surfaces of the slabs. The interaction between the slabs is attractive at low temperatures and its strength increases with the dielectric constant difference. At room temperature, the slabs may completely attract each other, reach to an equilibrium separation, or have two equilibrium separations with a barrier in between, depending on the system parameters.

Solubility and transport of cationic and anionic patterned nanoparticles

We analyze bulk diffusion and transport through hydrophobic nanochannels of nanoparticles (NPs) with different hydrophobic-hydrophilic patterns achieved by coating a fraction of the NP sites with positive or negative charges via explicit solvent molecular dynamics simulations. Ten different charge pattern types including Janus charged-hydrophobic NPs are studied. The cationic NPs are more affected by the patterns and have higher diffusion constants and fluxes than their anionic NPs counterparts. The NP-water interaction dependence on surface pattern and field strength explains these observations. The NP-water Coulomb interaction of anionic NPs in the bulk, which are much stronger than the hydrophobic NP-water interactions, are stronger for NPs with higher localized charge, and stronger than in the cationic NPs counterparts. The diffusion and transport of anionic NPs such as proteins and protein charge ladders with the same total charge but different surface charge patterns are slowest for the highest localized charge pattern, which also adsorb strongest onto surfaces. Our model demonstrates the separation (by reverse osmosis, capillary electrophoresis, or chromatography) of cationic NPs, including proteins with equal net charge but different surface charge distributions.

Computer simulations of the restricted primitive model at very low temperature and density

The problem of successfully simulating ionic fluids at low temperature and low density states is well known in the simulation literature: using conventional methods, the system is not able to equilibrate rapidly due to the presence of strongly associated cation-anion pairs. In this paper we present a numerical method for speeding up computer simulations of the restricted primitive model (RPM) at low temperatures (around the critical temperature) and at very low densities (down to 10(-10)σ(-3), where σ is the ion diameter). Experimentally, this regime corresponds to typical concentrations of electrolytes in nonaqueous solvents. As far as we are aware, this is the first time that the RPM has been equilibrated at such extremely low concentrations. More generally, this method could be used to equilibrate other systems that form aggregates at low concentrations.

Inflation of the screening length induced by Bjerrum pairs

Within a modified Poisson-Boltzmann theory we study the effect of Bjerrum pairs on the typical length scale [Formula: see text] over which electric fields are screened in electrolyte solutions, taking into account a simple association-dissociation equilibrium between free ions and Bjerrum pairs. At low densities of Bjerrum pairs, this length scale is well approximated by the Debye length [Formula: see text], with ρ(s) the free-ion density. At high densities of Bjerrum pairs, however, we find [Formula: see text], which is significantly larger than 1/κ due to the enhanced effective permittivity of the electrolyte, caused by the polarization of Bjerrum pairs. We argue that this mechanism may explain the recently observed anomalously large colloid-free zones between an oil-dispersed colloidal crystal and a colloidal monolayer at the oil-water interface.

Curvature dependence of the electrolytic liquid-liquid interfacial tension

The interfacial tension of a liquid droplet surrounded by another liquid in the presence of microscopic ions is studied as a function of the droplet radius. An analytical expression for the interfacial tension is obtained within a linear Poisson-Boltzmann theory and compared with numerical results from nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann theory. The excess liquid-liquid interfacial tension with respect to the pure salt-free liquid-liquid interfacial tension is found to decompose into a curvature-independent part due to short-ranged interfacial effects and a curvature-dependent electrostatic contribution. Several curvature-dependent regimes of different scalings of the electrostatic excess interfacial tension are identified. Symmetry relations of the interfacial tension upon swapping droplet and bulk liquid are found to hold in the low-curvature limit, which, e.g., lead to a sign change of the excess Tolman length. For some systems a low-curvature expansion up to the second order turns out to be applicable if and only if the droplet size exceeds the Debye screening length in the droplet, independent of the Debye length in the bulk.

Ion-size effect at the surface of a silica hydrosol

Using synchrotron x-ray reflectivity, I studied the ion-size effect for alkali ions (Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), and Cs(+)), with densities as high as 4x10(18)-7x10(18) m(-2), suspended above the surface of a colloidal solution of silica nanoparticles in the field generated by the surface electric-double layer. I found that large alkali ions preferentially accumulate and replace smaller ones at the surface of the hydrosol, a result qualitatively agreeing with the dependence of the Kharkats-Ulstrup single-ion electrostatic free energy on the ion's radius.

Liquid-liquid interfacial tension of electrolyte solutions

It is theoretically shown that the excess liquid-liquid interfacial tension between two electrolyte solutions as a function of the ionic strength I behaves asymptotically as O(-sqrt[I]) for small I and as O(+/-I) for large I. The former regime is dominated by the electrostatic potential due to an unequal partitioning of ions between the two liquids whereas the latter regime is related to a finite interfacial thickness. The crossover between the two asymptotic regimes depends sensitively on material parameters suggesting that the experimentally accessible range of ionic strengths can correspond to either the small or the large ionic strength regime. In the limiting case of a liquid-gas surface where ion partitioning is absent, the image charge interaction can dominate the surface tension for small ionic strength I such that an Onsager-Samaras limiting law O(-Iln(I)) is expected.

Fluid-bicontinuous gels stabilized by interfacial colloids: low and high molecular weight fluids

Carefully tuned composite materials can have properties wholly unlike those of their separate constituents. We review the development of one example: colloid-stabilized emulsions with bicontinuous liquid domains. These non-equilibrium structures resemble the sponge mesophase of surfactants; however, in the colloid-stabilized case the interface separating the liquid domains is itself semi-solid. The arrangement of domains is created by arresting liquid-liquid phase separation via spinodal decomposition. Dispersed colloids exhibiting partial wettability become trapped on the newly created interface and jam together as the domains coarsen. Similar structures have been created in polymer blends stabilized using either interfacial nanoparticles or clay platelets. Here it has been possible to create the domain arrangement either by phase separation or by direct mixing of the melt. The low molecular weight liquid and polymer based structures have been developed independently and much can be learnt by comparing the two.