Dynamic structure formation of particles and lipids at the oil/water interface

We recently established the molecular scale in situ investigation of competitive adsorption of lipids and nanoparticles at liquid/liquid interfaces using specular synchrotron X-ray reflectivity at the P08 beamline of DESY, which allowed us to challenge the paradigm that nanoparticles irreversibly adsorb to liquid interfaces. We now want to perform grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering experiments that will enable us to monitor lateral structure formation at the interface. The results will solidify our theoretical description of multicomponent emulsion systems, which we want to tailor regarding the type of particle coverage on emulsion droplets, giving rise to a deeper understanding of emulsion formation and of the processes in which complex emulsions are used. These findings are of general relevance for applications dealing with complex emulsion systems that can be found in food, cosmetic or pharmaceutical formulations, water remediation or oil recovery.