Single step emulsification for the generation of multi-component double emulsions

Abstract

We successfully encapsulate two, three, and four different inner drops inside double emulsions by means of a single-step emulsification technique. The microfluidic device fabrication is simple and the emulsification process highly robust. Optical microscopy images of double emulsion generation and of monodisperse double emulsions with discrete numbers of inner drops indicate the achievement of a high level of control with this technique. When the middle fluid transitions from dripping to jetting, two additional variations of double emulsions are produced: highly packed double emulsions and double emulsions with different sizes of inner drops. Finally, we successfully coalesce inner drops confined in a wax shell by applying heat. This demonstrates that these multi-component double emulsions may be useful as micro-reactors.