Colloidal particles have long been used as stabilizers for interfaces since the pioneering work by Pickering and Ramsden slightly more than a 100 years ago. Since then much work has been done on bulk systems, such as foam rheology and stability, but only recently has attention been devoted to the properties of individual bubbles and drops covered with particles. Indeed, these «armored» bubbles or drops can be considered as composites materials due to the differing properties of the solid particles and their fluid interface. After reporting new ways of making armored interfaces with microfluidics, I will discuss the amazing mechanical properties of these colloidal armors based around the concept of topological jamming. Then, I will continue by presenting on-going simulations and experiments on armored bubbles exploring the origin of their outstanding stability against dissolution. Finally, I will finish by describing the unexpected behavior of these bubbles when subjected to different types of surfactants.
Laboratoire des Colloïdes Verres et Nanomatériaux,UMR 5587, Université Montpellier II/CNRS