Regenerated chitin nanofiber-stabilized Pickering emulsions: Structure, rheology, and stability evaluation

Developing sustainable and high-performance biobased stabilizers is essential for advancing Pickering emulsion technology. Chitin nanofibers, characterized by their unique structural properties, amphiphilic nature, and biocompatibility, have emerged as promising candidates for use as Pickering particles. However, current production methods are energy-intensive, costly, and environmentally harmful, thereby restricting their application in Pickering emulsions. This study developed regenerated chitin nanofibers (Re-ChNFs) using an alkali-urea dissolution-regeneration method and explored their structure and emulsion-stabilizing mechanisms. The Re-ChNFs showed superior wettability and a favorable surface charge under near-neutral conditions, which facilitated their adsorption at the oil-water interface. Moreover, they were observed to form dense interfacial layers and fibrillar networks, leading to reduced droplet sizes and improved rheological properties. This research underscores the advantages of dissolution-regeneration chitin nanofibers and provides valuable insights into their interfacial interactions, proposing a promising strategy for the development of biodegradable Pickering stabilizers.