Direct Observation of Amphiphilic Silica Particles Assembled at an Oil–Water Interface

The location of amphiphilic silica particles, on which have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces, at a n-decane–water interface was investigated. By scanning electron microscopy observation of the particles fixed at the interface with a curable poly(dimethylsiloxane), we found that each hemisphere of a amphiphilic particle are immersed in the oil or aqueous phase.