Nanomaterial Integration at Liquid-Liquid Interfaces for Green Catalysis.

Abstract

The assembly of functional nanomaterials at liquid-liquid interfaces offers a promising approach to address mass transfer and catalyst-recovery limitations in conventional biphasic catalytic systems. This strategy exploits engineered colloidal particles serving dual roles as emulsion stabilizers and catalytic sites, creating platforms with high interfacial area-to-volume ratios. These systems can exhibit improved reaction kinetics with efficient phase separation and catalyst recyclability while potentially operating under milder conditions that reduce energy consumption and waste generation. This review analyzes recent developments in the design, synthesis, and surface engineering of interfacially active nanocatalysts. It is examined structure-performance relationships governing catalytic efficiency and emulsion stability, assess industrial implementation challenges including scalability and economic viability, and evaluate prospects of Pickering emulsion-based microreactor platforms as enabling technologies for sustainable chemical processes aligned with green chemistry principles and circular economy frameworks.