Multiphase systems

Multiphase systems

We study the fundamental and utilization aspects of multiphase systems, such as dispersions, emulsions, foams, membranes and gels.

Multiphase systems have a large variety of functionalities in the application of textile products, light-weight materials, water treatment, encapsulations, etc. Current environmental concerns have prompted an increasing demand for bio-material-based multiphase systems, such as foams, emulsions, aerogels. Our research interests involve revolving the colloidal-related mechanisms in fiber-based foams for papermaking. Also, we explore the roles and capabilities of ligno-cellulosic materials (e.g. ligno-cellulosic fibers, ligno-nanocellulose, etc.) in a multiphase system.

Schematic showing of the fabrication of all-in-one, two-phase emulsion gels from nanocellulose and nanochitin (Ref.3)

Selected References:

1) Bai L., Huan S.Q., Zhao B., Zhu Y., Esquena J., Chen F., Gao G., Zussman E., Chu G., Rojas O.J., All-Aqueous Liquid Crystal Nanocellulose Emulsions with Permeable Interfacial Assembly, ACS Nano, 2020, 14, 13380-13390.

2) Zhu Y., Huan S.Q., Bai L., Ketola A., Shi X.T., Zhang X., Ketoja J.A., Rojas O.J., High internal phase oil-in-water Pickering emulsions stabilized by chitin nanofibrils: 3D structuring and solid foam, ACS Applied Material & Interfaces, 2020, 12, 11240-11251.

3) Huan S.Q., Mattos B.D., Ajdary R., Xiang W., Bai L., Rojas O.J., Two-phase emulgels for direct ink writing of skin-bearing architectures, Advanced Functional Materials, 2019, 29, 1902990.

4) Bai L., Huan S., Xiang W., Rojas O.J., Pickering emulsions by combining cellulose nanofibrils and nanocrystals: Phase behavior and depletion stabilization, Green Chemistry, 2018, 20, 1571-1582.