Multiple phase inversion of emulsions stabilized by in situ surface activation of CaCO3 nanoparticles via adsorption of fatty acids.

The in situ surface activation of raw CaCO3 nanoparticles by interaction with a series of sodium carboxylates of chain length between 6 and 12 as well as sodium 2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate (AOT) was studied, and the impact of this on the stabilization and phase inversion of toluene–water emulsions was assessed. By using complementary experiments including measurement of particle zeta potentials, adsorption isotherms of amphiphile, and relevant contact angles, the mechanism of this activation was revealed. The results show that hydrophilic CaCO3 nanoparticles can be surface activated by interaction with sodium carboxylates and AOT even if they are not surface-active themselves. Both the electrostatic interaction between the positive charges on particle surfaces and the negative charges of anionic amphiphile headgroups and the chain–chain interactions of the amphiphile result in monolayer adsorption of the amphiphile at the particle–water interface. This transforms the particles from hydrophilic to partially...