Pickering emulsions with a nanoclay using high intensity mixing

The study explored the potential of using a nanoclay, Laponite RD, as a stabilising agent in comparison to a surfactant, Tergitol TMN6, at dispersed phase volume fraction of 10 to 50%. An energy intensive device, an ultrasonicator was employed covering a specific power input range of ~ 36- 52 W/kg. In both cases, final dispersions obtained could be considered stable over the period of 3 months ageing tests as comparable DSDs were obtained although there were some differences in the rheology at the highest dispersed phase concentration. Nanoclay stabilised emulsions exhibited non-Newtonian behaviour which may be a desirable feature of the final product- certainly one that requires attention in design and scale up. Overall, drop sizes were larger with Pickering emulsions which depended on the dispersed phase concentration whereas with emulsions stabilised with a surfactant drop sizes as low as 240 nm were obtained regardless of the dispersed phase volume fraction. The study also provided insight in terms of the kinetics of breakup in Pickering emulsions.