Light-driven Pickering interfacial catalysis for the oxidation of alkenes at near-room temperature

In this study, we have developed an emulsion system combining plasmonic Au-loaded amphiphilic silica nanoparticles (Au/SiO₂–C₃) and tri(dodecyltrimethylammonium) phosphotungstate ([C₁₂]₃[PW₁₂O₄₀]) nanoparticles acting as an on-site photoassisted heater/activator and a catalyst, respectively, at the water/oil interface. The system exhibits a 5-fold increase of activity compared to the thermal reaction for the near-room temperature oxidation of alkenes with H₂O₂. The nanoparticles show excellent recyclability and structural stability. This study opens an avenue to design multiphase photoreactors for oxidation reactions at mild temperature, with a potential energy saving of 74% compared to that of thermally heated reactors at isoconversion.