Dual responsive pickering emulsions based on ferric oxide nanoparticles and ferrocene derivates

Pickering emulsion stabilized by Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and ferrocene derivates via the self-assembly route exhibited good stability and the stability can be modulated by redox and applying magnetic field. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles modified by oxided ferrocene derivates (Fc⁺H) were used as emulsifier to prepare Pickering emulsions. The structure and properties of the emulsifier particles and emulsions were characterized by contact angle analyzer, Zeta potential meter, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, X-ray diffraction analyzer and polarizing microscope. It was found that the conditions for obtaining stable emulsions were 41.0% molar percentage of Fc⁺H modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Moreover, the stability of emulsions can be modulated by redox and magnetic fields.