Cellulose Nanocrystal Emulsion Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by surfactants are not stable over time and have ecological disadvantages, while Pickering emulsions using cellulose fibrils with lengths greater than 1 μm fail to produce calibrated and homogeneous emulsions with controlled droplet sizes.

Innovation Solution

The use of cellulose nanocrystals with lengths between 25 nm and 1 μm, and a width between 5 and 30 nm, which are acicular in shape, as emulsifying particles to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions without surfactants, providing enhanced stability and resistance to thermal treatments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional surfactants are used to stabilize emulsions, then emulsion stability is improved, but ecological disadvantages arise and long-term stability is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilityVSAvoidecological disadvantages

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the stabilizing agent from synthetic surfactants to natural cellulose nanocrystals. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by providing ecological compatibility while achieving long-term stability through the unique properties of cellulose nanocrystals, including their aspect ratio and surface characteristics that enable effective interfacial stabilization without harmful synthetic compounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive and potentially harmful synthetic surfactants with cellulose nanocrystals derived from renewable cellulose sources. This substitution uses abundant, biodegradable material that provides sustainable emulsion stabilization without the ecological burden of synthetic chemicals, while maintaining effective stabilizing performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Stability of the object's composition

If cellulose fibrils with length greater than 1 μm are used as emulsifying particles, then emulsion stabilization is achieved, but calibrated and homogeneous emulsions with controlled droplet sizes cannot be produced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion stabilizationVSAvoiddroplet size control

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the cellulose structure into nanocrystals with controlled dimensions (length 100-1000 nm, width 5-20 nm, aspect ratio 10-55). This segmentation into uniformly sized nanoscale particles enables precise control over emulsion droplet sizes and produces homogeneous emulsions, resolving the contradiction by providing both stabilization capability and manufacturing precision that larger fibrils cannot achieve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the critical parameter of particle size from micrometer-scale fibrils (>1 μm) to nanometer-scale nanocrystals (100-1000 nm length). This parameter change in dimension enables the particles to effectively stabilize emulsions while simultaneously allowing precise control over droplet size distribution and producing homogeneous, calibrated emulsions that were not achievable with larger fibrils

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 cellulose nanocrystal-based emulsions exhibit long-term stability, resistance to freezing and heating, and produce emulsions with controlled droplet sizes, offering improved homogeneity and stability compared to traditional surfactant-stabilized emulsions.

Implementation Method 1

These emulsifying compounds are most often emulsifying surfactants (also called "surfactants") which, thanks to their amphiphilic structure, are placed at the oil/water interfaces and stabilize the dispersed organic droplets.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

a first approach consists of using so-called "stabilizing" compounds, giving the emulsion rheological properties capable of slowing down the coalescence phenomenon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 3

Pickering emulsions are emulsions devoid of surfactants, and which are stabilized by colloidal suspended particles anchoring at the oil/water interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSteric stabilization:

Implementation Method 4

Unlike surfactants which adsorb and desorb continuously, particles in colloidal suspension adsorb strongly at interfaces (or even irreversibly)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic repulsion: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Data Source

PatentEP2595738B1Composition in the form of an emulsion, comprising a hydrophobic phase dispersed in an aqueous phase

Publication Date: 2018.04.25 INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE

Figure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition in the form of an emulsion, advantageously a Pickering emulsion, comprising a hydrophobic phase dispersed in an aqueous phase, which composition contains emulsifying particles capable of stabilizing said emulsion, at least some of said particles consisting of cellulose nanocrystals having an elongated shape, which have the following features: a length between 25 nm ant 1 μm, and a width between 5 and 30 nm.