Pickering emulsions stabilized by spherical cellulose nanocrystals

Nano cellulose has attracted more attentions as promising stabilizer candidate for Pickering emulsions due to its renewable and biocompatible properties. In this work, spherical cellulose nanocrystals (S-CNCs) (diameter 30-60 nm) were prepared by mixed acid hydrolysis of mercerized microcrystalline cellulose under the treatment of ultrasonic. We characterized the Pickering emulsions stabilized by various S-CNCs concentration in the aqueous phase and visualized their distribution in emulsions system. The diameter of emulsion droplets has no increase after 7 days storage. The emulsions present ultra-low viscosity even at a high S-CNCs concentration in the aqueous phase (5 g/L). Furthermore, noting that Pickering emulsions droplets stabilized by S-CNCs exhibited high stability even pH, ionic strengths, and temperatures changed in wide range. Thus, the S-CNCs acted as a new stabilizer for Pickering emulsion open opportunities for the development of biomedicine, cosmetics, and food applications.

Automated summary

Spherical cellulose nanocrystals (S-CNCs) prepared by mixed acid hydrolysis under ultrasonic treatment are shown to be promising stabilizers for Pickering emulsions, exhibiting high stability and low viscosity.