Microdroplet technology for green chemistry and sustainable energy systems

In response to escalating global environmental challenges and carbon neutrality goals, developing efficient, eco-friendly chemical transformation platforms is central to sustainable development. Microdroplets, characterized by their immense specific surface area, ultra-strong interfacial electric fields (~10⁹ V/m), and unique confinement effects, exhibit remarkable kinetic acceleration exceeding conventional bulk systems, providing an ideal micro-environment for sustainable molecular activation. Crucially, these interfacial phenomena align with the core principles of green chemistry by enabling high-efficiency transformations without external energy-intensive drivers. This article systematically reviews recent advances in microdroplet-mediated green chemistry. Specifically, the review highlights current applications of microdroplets across key sustainable synthesis scenarios, including CO₂ utilization, artificial nitrogen fixation, green H₂O₂ synthesis, and the directed transformation of complex organic feedstocks such as alkanes and alcohols under mild conditions. By scrutinizing interfacial electric-field-induced charge separation and radical-mediated activation pathways, the underlying physicochemical mechanisms of microdroplet-intensified green chemical processes are comprehensively elucidated. To guide future practical implementation, key challenges regarding industrial scale-up and applications in complex catalytic systems are discussed, along with forward-looking perspectives on innovative directions for sustainable chemical technologies.