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.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (99 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► 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.