Pickering emulsions: Physicochemical properties and recent applications in engineering

Abstract

Colloidal particles' adaptability facilitates the creation of various materials using Pickering emulsion templates. This review explores the recent utilization of colloidal particles in stabilizing Pickering emulsions and their potential applications in engineering technology to promote green chemistry. The study examines recent research on colloidal dispersion applications in engineering. Emulsion preparation techniques, phase volume fraction, and factors influencing emulsion stability, as well as stabilizing particles and stabilization mechanisms were presented. Additionally, it investigates Fracture Analysis, rheological properties, steady-state phenomenon, and mechanical behaviour of Pickering emulsions. The review also presents an engineering perspective on emulsion types and discusses various potential engineering applications of Pickering emulsions, including ion exchange, absorption, tissue engineering, wastewater treatment, mineral flotation, catalysis, pipe cleaning, road construction, oil drilling and recovery, and 3D printing. The study identifies challenges hindering current research on Pickering emulsion applications in engineering, suggests future directions, and emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach to overcome these obstacles. This research demonstrates that Pickering emulsions offer a promising and convenient system for fabricating diverse materials to address numerous engineering problems and reduce environmental pollution.