The Influence of Polyampholytes on the Phase Behavior of Microemulsion Used as Template for the Nanoparticle Formation

Figures & data

Fig. 1. Copolymers chemical stuctures.

Fig. 2. Partial phase diagrams at 22°C of the quasi‐ternary system SDS/toluene‐pentanol (1:1)/water in presence of different PalH concentrations. Cryo‐SEM micrograph of the L₂ phase without polymer.

Fig. 3. Partial phase diagrams at 22°C of the quasi‐ternary system SDS/toluene‐pentanol (1:1)/water in presence of different PalBu concentrations.

Fig. 4. Partial phase diagram of the quasi‐ternary system SDS/toluene‐pentanol (1:1)/water at different temperatures.

Fig. 5. Partial phase diagrams of the quasi‐ternary system SDS/toluene‐pentanol (1:1)/water in presence of different PalH or PalBu concentrations, and at different temperatures.

Fig. 6. Partial phase diagram at 40°C of the quasi‐ternary system SDS/toluene‐pentanol (1:1)/water in presence of 10% PalBu, and Cryo‐SEM micrograph of the bicontinuous channel.

Fig. 7. Conductivity measurements in the unmodified w/o microemulsion by titration with water.

Fig. 8. Boundary of percolation for the system SDS/toluene‐pentanol (1:1)/water depending on the polymer added and its concentration.

Table 1 Composition for samples A–D

Sample	SDS/Oil/Water^a (w/w/w)	Water/SDS weight ratio (Rw)
A	10/80/10	1
B	15/70/15	1
C	20/60/20	1
D	15/55/30	2
^aOr aqueous polyampholyte solution.

Fig. 9. Shear viscosities of the different polyelectrolyte modified microemulsions as a function of the water content.

Table 2 Results of dynamic light scattering experiments

Samples at point C	Particle size (nm)^a
Without polymer
In microemulsion	3.9 (100%)
Redispersed in water	108 (48%) 350 (52%)
10 wt% PalH
In microemulsion	2.0 (100%)
Redispersed in water	3.9 (94%) 12.2 (6%)
10 wt% PalBu
In microemulsion	3.2 (100%)
Redispersed in water	3.4 (92%) 10.3 (8%)
^aAverage values obtained by automatic peak analysis by volume.

Fig. 10. Electron micrographs of the water redispersed system with 10% PalH.

Fig. 11. Electron micrographs of the water redispersed system with 10% PalBu.