Nano-assemblies of cyclodextrin complexes at oil-water interfaces as sustainable alternatives to surfactants

This PhD research project aims to investigate the formation and structural characteristics of interfacial films created by cyclodextrin-oil complexes and to correlate these properties with the stability of emulsions. The central hypothesis is that cyclodextrins (CDs) can form robust, structured interfacial films via host-guest interactions with targeted hydrophobic molecules in the oil phase, which can provide a versatile method to build strong interfacial films for a very broad range of oil mixtures. The research will employ advanced experimental techniques including interfacial rheology, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), cryogenic electron microscopy, and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to characterize the interfacial films. Emulsion stability will be assessed under varying conditions of pH, ionic strength, and temperature to simulate real-world applications. This research will contribute to the fundamental understanding of cyclodextrin-mediated interfacial phenomena and offer insights into designing novel, biocompatible emulsifiers for applications in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.