Pickering Emulsion Catalysis: Interfacial Chemistry, Catalyst Design, Challenges, and Perspectives

Pickering emulsions are particle-stabilized surfactant-free dispersions composed of two immiscible liquid phases, and emerge as attractive catalysis platform to surpass traditional technique barrier in some cases. In this review, we have comprehensively summarized the development and the catalysis applications of Pickering emulsions since the pioneering work in 2010. The explicit mechanism for Pickering emulsions will be initially discussed and clarified. Then, summarization is given to the design strategy of amphiphilic emulsion catalysts in two categories of intrinsic and extrinsic amphiphilicity. The progress of the unconventional catalytic reactions in Pickering emulsion is further described, especially for the polarity/solubility difference-driven phase segregation, smart emulsion reaction system, continuous flow catalysis, and Pickering interfacial biocatalysis. Challenges and future trends for the development of Pickering emulsion catalysis are finally outlined.

Automated summary

This review provides a comprehensive summary of the development and catalysis applications of Pickering emulsions. It discusses the explicit mechanism of Pickering emulsions, summarizes the design strategies for amphiphilic emulsion catalysts, and describes the progress of unconventional catalytic reactions in Pickering emulsions. The challenges and future trends for the development of Pickering emulsion catalysis are also outlined.