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.