Coacervate Shell Stabilization for Immiscible Phase Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming drops of a first phase dispersed in a second phase with a coacervate shell do not ensure adequate placement of coacervation precursors at the interphase, leading to unsatisfactory retention and sometimes thick shells, limiting the stability and flowability of the dispersion.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a second precursor polymer into the second fluid during drop formation, allowing for ionic interaction with the first precursor polymer at the interface to generate a thin coacervate shell, thereby stabilizing the drops with a thickness of less than 1 μm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If coacervation precursors are placed in the aqueous phase only, then the method is simple to implement, but the precursors are not adequately placed at the interphase leading to thick shells and unsatisfactory retention
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the coacervation precursor placement into two segments: one precursor (polymer P1) is placed in the aqueous phase while the other precursor (polymer P2) is placed in the oily phase. This segmentation ensures that both precursors are optimally positioned at the interphase during drop formation, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and precursor placement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by assigning different precursor polymers to different phases based on their specific functions. Polymer P1 (with carboxylic acid functions) is localized in the aqueous phase while polymer P2 (with amine functions) is localized in the oily phase, creating optimal local conditions for coacervate shell formation at the interphase.
2Reliability
If the shell thickness is increased to improve retention, then the retention of dispersed phase is enhanced, but the dispersion loses flowability and stability under low shears
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the shell by using coacervate formation between complementary polymers (P1 with carboxylic acid functions and P2 with amine functions). This chemical approach creates a thin shell with optimal retention properties without the need for increased thickness, thereby maintaining dispersion flowability and stability under low shears.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite coacervate shell structure formed by the interaction of two different polymer precursors (P1 and P2) from immiscible phases. This composite structure provides enhanced retention capability in a thin shell configuration, avoiding the trade-off between shell thickness and flowability.
3Productivity
If the dispersion is highly concentrated to improve productivity, then the output is increased, but the dispersion becomes less stable and more difficult to flow
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the interfacial parameters by forming a thin coacervate shell through ionic interactions between polymers P1 and P2. This creates highly stable individual drops that can be concentrated in the dispersion without compromising overall stability, enabling high productivity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a thin coacervate shell film that provides adequate retention and stability even in highly concentrated dispersions. The flexible nature of this thin shell allows drops to maintain stability at high concentrations without the dispersion becoming overly viscous or unstable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method achieves highly stable and concentrated dispersions with thin shells, enabling the drops to maintain stability under low shears and flowability, while preventing coalescence and maintaining monodispersity.
Implementation Method 1
generating the coacervate layer by interaction between the first precursor polymer and the second precursor polymer at the interface between the first phase and the second phase
Implementation Method 2
the shell of the drops is formed by a coacervate of polymers
Data Source
AI summary
The invention deals with a dispersion of drops of a first phase in a second phase substantially immiscible with the first phase, the solubility of the first phase in the second phase being less than 5% by mass. Each drop includes a core formed with a first phase and a shell formed with a coacervate layer interposed between the first phase and the second phase.The coacervate layer comprises a first precursor polymer of the coacervate and a second precursor polymer of the coacervate, one of the first phase and of the second phase is aqueous, and the other of the first phase and of the second phase is oily.