Structural characterisation of silica-shell multicore colloidosomes using contrast variation spin-echo small angle neutron scattering

In this work, we will perform SESANS measurements on silica colloidosomes generated from a previously developed synthetic route. This route entails a primary emulsification (PE) step of sunflower oil in a suspension of aqueous silica nanoparticles (Ludox HS-40) to form the core environments of the capsules. This is then followed by a secondary emulsification step of emulsifying the PE in a second sunflower oil phase, resulting in an oil-in-water-in-oil emulsion. This finally creates spherical silica shells that are locked together by calcium chloride addition. There are thus, two length scales that need to be characterised: the diameter of the cores, and that of the shells. Measuring samples in two contrasts: pure D2O and silica contrast matched water will enable verification of the cores and shells independently by SESANS.