Hydrophobic modification of regenerated cellulose microparticles with enhanced emulsifying capacity for O/W Pickering emulsion

This work was focused on the fabrication of a stable O/W Pickering emulsion by using cellulose-rich composites that prepared by selectively oxidation with sodium periodate firstly, and followed by grafting dodecylamine to the 2,3-dialdehyde cellulose particles. The structure and properties of the modified cellulose microparticles were characterized, and the performance for the stabilization of O/W Pickering emulsions was investigated. The surface wettability, rheological behavior of the cellulose microparticles before and after being modified had been compared. The results indicated that the hydrophobically modified cellulose microparticles were more effective in emulsifying oil than that of the pristine cellulose microparticles. The contents of oil and cellulose microparticles used had an influence on the size of emulsion droplets, however, the responsiveness of the emulsions towards pH changed slightly, and oil was not leaked from the droplets at decreased pH. This could be explained by the amphiphilicity of the hydrophobically modified cellulose particles. This work provided a facile method for the modification of cellulose microparticles with amphiphilic properties and enhanced emulsifying capacity. The cellulose based particles with biocompatible and environmentally friendly characteristics would be attractive for the applications in biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc.