Scalable Synthesis of Janus Particles with High Naturality

Abstract

Because\nof the increasing concerns about the ecological damage\nand negative health effects that may be caused by petrochemical-based\nmicrobeads, many countries are banning their use in a wide range of\nconsumer products. One particular class of particles that may never\nreach their full potential because of such a ban is Janus particles,\nwhich are particles with two opposite properties. Despite significant\nprogress in the scalable synthesis of Janus particles, most studies\nrely on petrochemical-based materials and solvents to enable their\nsynthesis. In this report, we present a single-emulsion polymerization\nmethod for scalable synthesis of amphiphilic Janus particles with\nmaterials derived from plants. Soybean oil-epoxidized acrylate (SBOEA)\nmonomers are polymerized in single-emulsion droplets of SBOEA, ethyl\ncellulose (EC), butyl acetate, and initiators that can be generated\nby either bulk or microfluidic emulsification, leading to the formation\nof amphiphilic soybean oil polymer/EC (SBOP/EC) Janus particles. Interfacial\nanchoring of the in situ-formed SBOP particles at the interface of\nthe emulsion droplet plays a key role in the formation of the SBOP/EC\nJanus particles. Large-scale preparation of uniform SBOP/EC Janus\nparticles is also demonstrated using a glass-silicon microfluidic\ndevice. Finally, the SBOP/EC Janus particles show potential to stabilize\noil-in-water emulsions that can stay stable under flowing conditions.