Formation Mechanism of Zinc Oxalate Particles in the Internal Aqueous Droplets of Emulsion Liquid Membrane

We have investigated the formation and evolution of zinc oxalate particles in internal aqueous droplets and their effects of emulsion interface properties. The formation of particles follows an aggregation-controlled mechanism that depends on the size of droplets and surfactant. The size of droplets determines the final shape of the particles by affecting the supersaturation ratio to form rod-like and sheet-like particles. The surfactant adsorbed on the particles changes the wettability, leading to the aggregation of the primary particles at the internal water-oil interface. Moreover, the adsorption can cause a higher level of impurity and defects in as-synthesized particles. This effect could be directly employed to fabricate heterojunction rectifier.