Pickering emulsion: From controllable fabrication to biomedical application

Abstract

Pickering emulsion, stabilized by solid particles, possesses low toxicity, high stability, large surface area as well as good biocompatibility in comparison with traditional molecular surfactant-stabilized emulsion. As such, Pickering emulsion has received much attention in numerous fields including the chemical industry, food industry, agriculture, and biomedicine. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of Pickering emulsion from controllable fabrication to biomedical applications. Firstly, we elaborate on the influence of solid-particle surfactant on the fabrication of Pickering emulsions and their corresponding preparation technologies. Secondly, we focus on the biomedical applications of Pickering emulsion, including antitumor treatment, antiviral infection, biosensing and biocatalysis as well as wound healing. Finally, we further introduce the proof-of-concept of Pickering emulsion and comment on the prospects of this emerging field.