Lignin supracolloids synthesized from (W/O) microemulsions: use in the interfacial stabilization of Pickering systems and organic carriers for silver metal

• DOI: 10.1039/c4sm02851a
• Publication Date: 2015-01-13T14:07:25Z
• Authors: Tiina E. Nypelö; Carlos A. Carrillo; Orlando J. Rojas
• Keywords: Microemulsion; Pickering emulsion; Particle (ecology); Hexadecane

Taking advantage of the aromatic and cross-linking tendency lignin macromolecules extracted from plants, we present a novel method for their assembly into supracolloidal structures. Specifically, spherical particles with controllable size (∼90 nm to 1 μm) were obtained water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsions formulated mixture nonionic surfactants colloidal dispersion low molecular weight alkali lignin. After spontaneous emulsification, internal lignin-rich phase was cross-linked produce solid that could be easily separated by removal organic, continuous phase. The efficiency fractionated stabilize hexadecane-in-water Pickering emulsions demonstrated properties compared against those using traditional inorganic particles. effect particle on emulsion structure is discussed. As proof concept further introduce use related enable in situ reduction silver loading nanoparticles carriers.