interfacialin

Interfacialin is a term used in materials science to describe a family of engineered amphiphilic molecules designed to modify interfaces between immiscible liquids and at solid–liquid boundaries. These compounds have a hydrophobic region and a hydrophilic region, promoting rapid adsorption to interfaces and the formation of functional interfacial films. Variants include small molecules, oligomers, and polymers, with properties tuned by core scaffolds, tail length, and terminal groups. Several interfacialins respond to environmental cues such as pH, temperature, or ionic strength, enabling switchable interfacial behavior.

Synthesis typically uses standard organic or polymer chemistry, including amide or ester coupling for small molecules and controlled polymerization or grafting for macromolecules. The choice of hydrophobic tail and hydrophilic head governs adsorption kinetics, surface coverage, and interfacial rheology.

In operation, interfacialins accumulate at oil–water, air–water, or solid–liquid interfaces, reduce interfacial tension, and form viscoelastic interfacial layers. This can stabilize emulsions and foams, influence droplet breakup, and affect wetting and adhesion at surfaces.

Applications span emulsification in food and cosmetics, coatings, materials synthesis, and enhanced oil recovery, among others. Research focuses on adsorption isotherms, interfacial rheology, and environmental impacts of different variants.

See also: surfactant, emulsifier, amphiphile, interfacial rheology.