Redox- and pH-responsive emulsions based on TiO2 nanoparticles and ferrocene derivates

Abstract

We synthesized a novel surfactant, ferrocene azine (FcA), and developed a redox- and pH-responsive emulsion stabilized by TiO₂ nanoparticles and oxidized ferrocene azine (Fc⁺A) with fluorescence through simple mixing instead of complex modification steps, where both Fc⁺A and TiO₂ nanoparticles modified in situ by Fc⁺A adsorbed at the oil–water interface to synergistically stabilize emulsions. Based on the redox activity of ferrocenyl, the stability of the emulsion could be modulated. Moreover, the pH responsiveness of the emulsion was also endowed utilizing the generally ignored pH-controlled surface charge inversion of nanoparticles. This study proposes a synergistic stabilization interaction between surfactants and surfactant-modified nanoparticles with very low concentrations, which provides a new understanding for the stabilization mechanism of emulsions.