Scalable Synthesis of Janus Particles with High Naturality
Yang Lan, Jingyu Wu, Syung Hun Han, Sagar Yadavali, David Issadore, Kathleen J. Stebe, Daeyeon Lee
Abstract
Because of the increasing concerns about the ecological damage and negative health effects that may be caused by petrochemical-based microbeads, many countries are banning their use in a wide range of consumer products. One particular class of particles that may never reach their full potential because of such a ban is Janus particles, which are particles with two opposite properties. Despite significant progress in the scalable synthesis of Janus particles, most studies rely on petrochemical-based materials and solvents to enable their synthesis. In this report, we present a single-emulsion polymerization method for scalable synthesis of amphiphilic Janus particles with materials derived from plants. Soybean oil-epoxidized acrylate (SBOEA) monomers are polymerized in single-emulsion droplets of SBOEA, ethyl cellulose (EC), butyl acetate, and initiators that can be generated by either bulk or microfluidic emulsification, leading to the formation of amphiphilic soybean oil polymer/EC (SBOP/EC) Janus particles. Interfacial anchoring of the in situ-formed SBOP particles at the interface of the emulsion droplet plays a key role in the formation of the SBOP/EC Janus particles. Large-scale preparation of uniform SBOP/EC Janus particles is also demonstrated using a glass-silicon microfluidic device. Finally, the SBOP/EC Janus particles show potential to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions that can stay stable under flowing conditions.