Pickering Emulsion Droplet-Derived Multicompartmentalized Microspheres for Innovative Applications

Abstract

Multicompartmentalized microspheres with multilevel and complex interior structures have great potential in practical applications due to their cell-like structures and microscale dimension. The Pickering emulsion droplet-confined synthesis route has been demonstrated to be a promising strategy for fabricating multicompartmentalized microspheres. Since Pickering emulsion-templated formation of hollow microspheres is an interface-directed process in which the growth of shells occurs at the oil/water interface and the confined space of Pickering emulsion droplet accommodates a variety of behaviors, such as surfactant-guided assembly growth, confined pyrolysis transformation, tritemplated growth, and bottom-up assembly, the independent and free regulation of the interface and internal structure of microspheres is allowed. In this Perspective, we highlight the recent progress in the synthesis of microparticles with tunable interior structures via the Pickering emulsion droplet-based approach. And we delve into the innovative applications of these multilevel-structured microparticles benefiting from their biomimetic multicompartments. Finally, some fundamental challenges and opportunities are identified for regulating the interior structure within microspheres and promoting practical applications by virtue of the Pickering emulsion droplet-confined synthesis pathway.

Ultralight, Robust, Thermal Insulating Silica Nanolace Aerogels Derived from Pickering Emulsion Templates

“…In the search for efficient, environmentally friendly thermal insulation technology, Pickering emulsion-templated fabrication of silica aerogels has proven to be a promising alternative. − In fact, there have been some studies on the fabrication of aerogels by using Pickering emulsion templates, including carbon-based composite aerogels and syndiotactic polymer aerogels using commonly silica as a Pickering agent . There has also been research on cellulose-based aerogels, which shows an obvious gap in these studies that investigated hybrid cellulose–inorganic composites and aerogels combining noncellulosic polymers with inorganic silica.…”

Pickering emulsion emulsified using novel cellulose nanofibers significantly lowers the lipid release rate and cellular absorption

“…Aside from being non-toxic and biodegradable, nanocellulose also displays good stiffness, toughness, biocompatibility, and lipid absorption; it is precisely these properties that make it a valuable resource in the food industry, for thickening, suspension, and emulsification. 4–7 From all the types of Pickering emulsions investigated in previous studies and used in existing applications, the rod-shaped particles formulated from materials such as nanocellulose may have the least impact on the natural flavor and texture of foods due to their high aspect ratio, greater stiffness, and sequential arrangement. 8 In summary, rod-shaped nanocellulose Pickering emulsions are notably helpful in blocking the breakdown of fats by enzymes and reducing the formation of fatty acids.…”

Synergistic Effect of Asphaltene, Resin, and Wax Improving the Emulsification and Interfacial Properties of a High-Phase-Inversion Thin Oil

“…We acknowledge that the high-phase-inversion phenomenon may be an external manifestation of the interaction of natural surfactants at the interface. Considering the intimate connection between the field of emulsions and interface science, − we extensively discuss the properties of the oil–water interface, including interfacial tension and viscoelasticity. By delving into the intricate interactions between oil and water, our objective is to gain a better understanding of the mechanism behind the high phase inversion in thin oil and provide novel insights into the behavior of thin-oil emulsions.…”