Low gelatin concentration assisted cellulose nanocrystals stabilized high internal phase emulsion: The key role of interaction

Low concentrations of gelatin (0.02–0.20 wt%) were applied to regulate the surface and interface properties of CNC (0.50 wt%) by forming CNC/G complexes. As gelatin concentration increased from 0 to 0.20 wt%, the potential value of CNC/G gradually changed from −44.50 to −17.93 mV. Additionally, various gelatin concentrations led to micromorphology changes of CNC/G complexes, with the formation of particle interconnection at gelatin concentration of 0.10 wt%, followed by network structure and enhanced aggregation at gelatin concentration of 0.15 and 0.20 wt% respectively. The water contact angle (25.91°-80.23°) and interface adsorption capacity of CNC/G were improved due to hydrophobic group exposure of gelatin. When gelatin concentration exceeded 0.10 % at a fixed oil phase volume fraction (75 %), a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) stabilized by CNC/G can be formed with a good storage stability. The rheological and microstructure results of HIPE confirmed that low gelatin concentration can assist CNC to form stable emulsion structure. Especially, the auxiliary stabilization mechanism of various gelatin concentration was different. CNC/G-0.10 % and CNC/G-0.15 % stabilized HIPE mainly depended on the enhanced interface adsorption and network structure, while CNC/G-0.20 % stabilized HIPE mainly relied on enhanced interface adsorption/accumulation due to weak electrostatic repulsion and aggregate granular morphology of CNC/G-0.20 %. [Display omitted] •Gelatin and CNC were complexed via hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction.•Low gelatin concentration affected the surface and interface properties of CNC.•High internal phase emulsion (HIPE) was prepared by a one-step emulsification.•Low gelatin concentration (0.1 % ∼ 0.2 %) can assist CNC (0.5 %) to stabilize HIPE.•Gelatin content can adjust the interface adsorption and network formation of CNC.