Chemically Tuning Attractive and Repulsive Interactions between Solubilizing Oil Droplets

Ciera M. Wentworth, Alexander C. Castonguay, Pepijn G. Moerman, Caleb H. Meredith, Rebecca V. Balaj, Seong Ik Cheon, Lauren D. Zarzar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Micellar solubilization is a transport process occurring in surfactant-stabilized emulsions that can lead to Marangoni flow and droplet motility. Active droplets exhibit self-propulsion and pairwise repulsion due to solubilization processes and/or solubilization products raising the droplet's interfacial tension. Here, we report emulsions with the opposite behavior, wherein solubilization decreases the interfacial tension and causes droplets to attract. We characterize the influence of oil chemical structure, nonionic surfactant structure, and surfactant concentration on the interfacial tensions and Marangoni flows of solubilizing oil-in-water drops. Three regimes corresponding to droplet “attraction”, “repulsion” or “inactivity” are identified. We believe these studies contribute to a fundamental understanding of solubilization processes in emulsions and provide guidance as to how chemical parameters can influence the dynamics and chemotactic interactions between active droplets.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere202204510
JournalAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume61
Issue number32
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 8 2022

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry

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