Search

Polystyrene with π-conjugated end groups (BPS) synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation transfer polymerization was used to modify the surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets through π–π stacking (BPS–rGO) in order to increase their hydrophobicity and dispersibility. The modification of rGO makes it possible for BPS–rGO to stabilize Pickering w/o (water-in-oil) emulsions of small droplets, in which toluene is taken as the continuous phase and distilled water as the dispersed phase. The effects of the BPS–rGO concentration and the water/oil ratio on the Pickering emulsions were investigated. The results indicate that increasing hydrophobicity of BPS–rGO was favorable to forming stable w/o emulsions and the emulsion stability was increased with the increase in the BPS–rGO concentration or with the decrease in water/oil ratio. Using BPS–rGO to stabilize Pickering w/o emulsions is an effective and versatile approach to fabricate active materials that can be employed as catalysts for chemical reactions.