Stable water and glycerol marbles immersed in organic liquids: From liquid marbles to Pickering-like emulsions

Water and glycerol marbles coated with various powders and immersed in organic liquids gave rise to water-in-oil and glycerol-in-oil Pickering-like emulsions. Non-polar oils such as polydimethylsiloxane, toluene, xylenes and chlorinated solvents supported the formation of emulsions, whereas polar liquids such as dimethylsulfoxide, N,N,-dimethylformamide, acetone and ethanol did not. It is demonstrated that there is a direct contact between a liquid filling the immersed marble and the surrounding liquid. A phenomenological theory of the marbles’ sinking into emulsion is proposed.

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► Marbles gave rise to water-in-oil and glycerol-in-oil Pickering-like emulsions.
► Non-polar liquids supported the formation of emulsions.
► Polar liquids did not support the formation of emulsions.
► Immersed marbles did not trap air.
► Direct contact of the liquid filling the marble and the surrounding liquid was demonstrated.