This SpringerBrief provides an overview of ultrasonic emulsification and an update on recent advances in developing stable emulsions for the creation of novel drugs and functional foods, with a focus on bioactive delivery in these products. Emulsification is the process of combining two or more immiscible liquids to form a semi-stable mixture. These two liquids generally consist of an organic (oil) phase and an aqueous (water) phase that is stabilized by the addition of an emulsifier. Most common emulsions are of the oil-in-water (O/W) type, but can also be of water-in-oil (W/O) or even multiple emulsion types (i.e. double emulsions) in the form of water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) or oil-in-water-in-oil (O/W/O) phases. The formation of an emulsion requires input of energy to distribute the disperse phase in the continuous phase in small-sized droplets that are able to resist instability. There is great interest in the use of ultrasound to produce emulsions, as it is able to do so relatively efficiently and effectively compared to existing techniques such as rotor stator, high-pressure homogenization and microfluidization. The interaction of ultrasound with the hydrocolloids and biopolymers that are often used to stabilize emulsions can offer advantages such as improved stability or greater control of formed droplet size distributions.

Despite the fact that chemical applications of ultrasound are now widely acknowledged, a detailed presentation of inorganic systems covering nano-particles, catalysis, aqueous chemistry of metallic solutions and their redox characteristics, both from a theoretical and experimental perspective has eluded researchers of this field. Theoretical and Experimental Sonochemistry Involving Inorganic Systems fills this gap and presents a concise and thorough review of this fascinating area of Sonochemistry in a single volume.

As nanomaterials and their end products occupy the pinnacle position of consumer markets, it becomes vital to analyze their generation processes. One of the green chemistry principles underlines the need for unusual energy sources to generate them. Utilizing the extreme energy from the collapse of cavitation bubbles, generated by either ultrasound or hydrodynamic forces, for the generation of nanomaterials is a merit to consider in this "Green Chemical Processing Era." A wide range of nanomaterials have been developed in the past decade using cavitation or coupling cavitation with other techniques such as microwave, photochemistry, and electrochemistry, resulting in nanomaterials with unique morphologies, reduced size, narrow size distribution, and innumerous advantages. While a few currently available books deal with the fundamental aspects of cavitation and sonochemistry, this book is devoted specifically to the technologically important nanomaterials obtained by cavitation.

Despite the fact that chemical applications of ultrasound are now widely acknowledged, a detailed presentation of inorganic systems covering nano-particles, catalysis, aqueous chemistry of metallic solutions and their redox characteristics, both from a theoretical and experimental perspective has eluded researchers of this field.

"Theoretical and Experimental Sonochemistry Involving Inorganic Systems" fills this gap and presents a concise and thorough review of this fascinating area of Sonochemistry in a single volume.

Nanomaterials for Green Energy focuses on the synthesis, characterization and application of novel nanomaterials in the fields of green science and technology. This book contains fundamental information about the properties of novel nanomaterials and their application in green energy. In particular, synthesis and characterization of novel nanomaterials, their application in solar and fuel cells and batteries, and nanomaterials for a low-toxicity environment are discussed. It will provide an important reference resource for researchers in materials science and renewable energy who wish to learn more about how nanomaterials are used to create cheaper, more efficient green energy products.

This book begins by giving a summary of sonochemistry and explains how a chemical reaction can be induced by the interaction of sound waves and gas bubbles in liquids. The work outlines how primary and secondary radicals combined with the physical effects generated during acoustic cavitation are active in the ultrasonic synthesis of a variety of functional materials. The brief covers hot topics that include ultrasonic synthesis of various functional materials covering the following broad areas: acoustic cavitation and sonochemistry, synthesis of functional polymers and their applications, synthesis of functional inorganic materials and their applications, improving functionality of food/dairy systems, synthesis of functional biomaterials and their applications, synthesis of graphene based catalytic materials. Theory is kept to a minimum. The book is aimed at individuals at universities and will also interest those in industry. It is suitable for all levels.

This book provides an introduction to the fundamental and applied aspects of sonochemistry, discussing a number of basic concepts in sonochemistry, such as how ultrasonic waves interact with gas bubbles in liquids to generate cavitation, and how the high temperatures generated within cavitation bubbles could be estimated. It explains how redox radicals are produced and how to make use of both the physical and chemical forces generated during cavitation for various applications. Intended for academic researchers, industry professionals as well as undergraduate and graduate students, especially those starting on a new research topic or those new to the field, it provides a clear understanding of the concepts and methodologies involved in ultrasonic and sonochemistry.