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Microfluidic Approaches to Pickering Emulsions and Foams: Strategies, Challenges, and Promising Applications
Xuefeng Shen1, Fathinah Islami Hasyyati2, Karin Schroën2
1Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, Wageningen, 6708 WE, The Netherlands.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|October 30, 2025
Summary
Microfluidics enables precise control over Pickering emulsions and foams, overcoming limitations in understanding particle dynamics. This technology is key to unlocking the full potential of these advanced interfacial systems.
Area of Science:
- Colloid and Surface Science
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Pickering emulsions and foams, stabilized by particles, offer enhanced stability and versatility over traditional methods.
- Limited understanding of particle adsorption and interactions hinders the large-scale application of Pickering systems.
- Microfluidic techniques have emerged as powerful tools for precise Pickering emulsion production and analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in microfluidic techniques for producing and analyzing Pickering emulsions and foams.
- To classify microfluidic methods based on particle loading mechanisms at interfaces.
- To critically evaluate the advantages, limitations, and future applications of microfluidics in this field.
Main Methods:
- On-chip microfluidic platforms for controlled design and production of Pickering emulsions.
- Systematic analysis of emulsion formation, stability, and dynamics using microfluidic devices.
- Classification of microfluidic methods by particle interfacial loading mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Microfluidics allows for precise control over particle adsorption dynamics and interfacial interactions.
- Systematic analysis of Pickering emulsion formation and stability is facilitated by microfluidic platforms.
- A classification of microfluidic methods based on particle loading mechanisms provides insights into their working principles.
Conclusions:
- Microfluidics significantly advances the production and analysis of Pickering emulsions and foams.
- Integration with materials science and analytical tools will drive functional interfacial system design.
- Microfluidic strategies are crucial for scaling up Pickering systems and enabling practical applications.
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