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Nanoemulsion modular assembly for the synthesis of functional mesoporous nanomaterials

Nature Synthesis volume 5, pages 162–179 (2026)Cite this article

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Abstract

Functional mesoporous nanomaterials (FMNs), combining the advantages of mesoporosity and nanoscale effects, have attracted interest owing to their wide-ranging applications. Recent advances demonstrate that the nanoemulsion modular assembly method is a scalable, efficient and versatile platform for synthesizing FMNs in high yields, surpassing traditional templating methods in terms of the controllability in pore size, structure and morphology. Here we present the fundamentals and recent progress in nanoemulsion modular assembly for the design of diverse FMNs, including mesoporous polymers, carbons, silicas, organosilicas, metal–organic frameworks and their heterostructures. We first discuss representative nanoemulsion components and the modular assembly concept, and highlight key distinctions from traditional strategies. Next we present the structural control over nanoemulsions, discussing the underlying mechanisms that govern the diversity of FMNs. Subsequently, we summarize their applications in energy storage, catalysis, sensing and biomedicine. Finally, we outline unresolved challenges and future opportunities, underscoring the possibilities of nanoemulsion-based assembly strategies in advancing next-generation functional nanomaterials.

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Fig. 1: Nanoemulsion structure and modular assembly concept.
Fig. 2: Structural control of nanoemulsions.
Fig. 3: Compositional diversity in mesoporous nanomaterials.
Fig. 4: Pore size and structural engineering in mesoporous nanomaterials.
Fig. 5: Morphological control of mesoporous nanomaterials.
Fig. 6: Heterogeneous mesoporous nanomaterials.
Fig. 7: Applications of mesoporous nanomaterials.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (nos. T2293694 and 52333015), the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (nos. 11215523, SRFS2223-1S01, N_PolyU5172/24, 17300424, 15237824 and C6020-22G), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (no. 2023YFE0209900), the Innovation and Technology Commission of Hong Kong (no. MHP/025/23) and the Meituan Foundation through the Green Tech Award.

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Liang Peng, Huarong Peng, Yongjiu Yuan, Yuxin Song.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology, and Research Centre for Nature-inspired Science and Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China

    Liang Peng, Yuxin Song, Xiao Yang & Zuankai Wang

  2. Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, iChEM and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

    Liang Peng & Dongyuan Zhao

  3. Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China

    Huarong Peng & Zhengxiao Guo

  4. Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China

    Yongjiu Yuan, Pengcheng Sun, Yingying Yin & Steven Wang

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  1. Liang Peng
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Contributions

L.P. and H.P. carried out data searches and co-wrote the manuscript. Z.W., L.P. and D.Z. conceived the project and revised the manuscript. Y. Yuan and Y.S. contributed to the discussion of content. Z.G., X.Y., Y. Yin, P.S. and S.W. gave important advice. All authors have given approval to the final version of the manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Dongyuan Zhao or Zuankai Wang.

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Nature Synthesis thanks Ming-Yong Han, In Su Lee and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work. Primary Handling Editor: Alexandra Groves, in collaboration with the Nature Synthesis team.

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Peng, L., Peng, H., Yuan, Y. et al. Nanoemulsion modular assembly for the synthesis of functional mesoporous nanomaterials. Nat. Synth 5, 162–179 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44160-025-00973-7

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