Time-dependent rheology of clay particle-stabilised emulsions

We have studied the thixotropic behaviour of clay particle-stabilised emulsions using a combination of rheology and confocal fluorescence microscopy. Oil drops were stabilised by laponite particles attached to their surfaces and incorporated into a three dimensional super-aggregate structure of laponite particles that formed in the water. The self-supporting, three-dimensional network of drops and laponite particles gives the emulsions pronounced gel-like properties. The transient flow behaviour of the emulsions depends on the mechanical properties of the laponite dispersions and the oil drop volume fraction.