A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Bottom-up self-synthesis of supramolecular Pickering emulsions by interfacial dynamic combinatorial chemistry
Authors: Shi, Xuncheng; Lin, Caihong; Qi, Dawei; Pitkänen, Leena; Jalkanen, Sirpa; Li, Jianwei
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
Article number: 141101
Volume: 724
ISSN: 0021-9797
eISSN: 1573-2517
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2026.141101
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2026.141101
Pickering emulsions stabilized by interfacially adsorbed particles are attractive synthetic compartmentalized soft materials, but conventional particle stabilizers are usually pre-synthesized and structurally static. Supramolecular chemistry provides a route to dynamic particle stabilizers, yet weak supramolecular interactions often limit their stabilization at dynamic liquid-liquid interfaces, impairing emulsion stability. Here, we report an interfacial dynamic combinatorial chemistry (DCC) strategy for the in-situ formation of supramolecular interfacial particles that stabilize water-in-oil (W/O) Pickering emulsion. These interfacial particles are assembled from dynamic combinatorial libraries (DCLs) of anionic macrocyclic disulfides templated by a cationic surfactant (CTAB) at the oil-water interface, producing Pickering emulsion with low stabilizer concentrations (≤0.9 wt%) and dramatically enhanced stability. Remarkably, the molecular-level adaptation of interfacial DCLs led to emergent upper-level structures and properties, from nano-sized SIPs with optimized hydrophobicity and size for W/O interfacial stabilization, to macro-sized W/O droplets, and finally semi-solid self-healing emulsion with stress relaxation behavior. The interfacial environment enriches larger macrocyclic disulfides relative to bulk DCL controls, while varying the precursor concentration enables fine-tuning of macrocycle distribution and further mechanical properties of emulsions. Our results establish interfacial DCC as a promising strategy that bridges molecular selection, interfacial assembly, and macroscopic emulsion mechanics, providing a route to adaptive Pickering emulsions and dynamic interfacial materials.
Funding information in the publication:
We are grateful for the financial support from University of Turku (UTUGS salary for X.S.), Turun Yliopistosäätiö (Doctoral dissertation grant for X.S.), Finnish national agency for education (EDUIF fellowship for X.S.), Kvantum institute from University of Oulu (Postdoctoral research funding for D.Q.), the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation (Senior researcher 1-3-year grant for S.J. and Senior researcher fellowship for J.L.), the Academy of Finland (decision no. 318524, project funding for J.L.) and the Science and Technology Development Fund, Macau SAR (0119/2025/RIB2).