Fig. 1

All-liquid fluidic devices stabilized by NPS membranes. a Schematic of an all-liquid fluidic device comprised of immiscible liquid phases confined in space using superhydrophobic−superhydrophilic micropatterned substrates. Nanoclay–polymer surfactants (NPSs) self-assemble at the liquid–liquid interface, forming an elastic wall that allows the all-liquid architecture to maintain integrity while fluid is pumped through the channel. b Temporal evolution of interfacial tension (IFT) of aqueous nanoclay dispersions (0.5, 5, and 10 mg mL⁻¹, pH 7.0) introduced to solutions of H₂N-PDMS-NH₂ in toluene (10% w/w), illustrating control over the rate of NPS assembly at the interface. c Buckling behavior observed when retracting a droplet cladded with the interfacial NPS film. Scale bar, 1 mm. d In-situ AFM image of the NPS film. The inset shows the schematic diagram of the experimental setup for AFM measurements. Scale bar, 100 nm. e, f Time-lapse images of a solution of blue-colored dye being pumped (10 mL h⁻¹) through the channel in the presence (e) and in the absence (f) of the NPS film. Scale bars, 5 mm. AFM atomic force microscopy