Novel polymer nanoparticles with core-shell structure for breaking asphaltenes-stabilized W/O and O/W emulsions.

PBM@PDM could immediately prompt the coalescence of water droplets upon addition and effectively release the water in asphaltenes-stabilized W/O emulsion. In addition, PBM@PDM successfully destabilized asphaltenes-stabilized O/W emulsion. Not only could PBM@PDM substitute the asphaltenes adsorbed at the water-toluene interface, but they could also dominate the water-toluene interfacial pressure in competition with asphaltenes. The steric repulsion between interfacial asphaltene films could be suppressed in the presence of PBM@PDM. Surface charges significantly influenced the stability of asphaltenes-stabilized O/W emulsion. This work provides useful insights into the interaction mechanisms of asphaltene-stabilized W/O and O/W emulsions.