Recent advances in design of surfactants and polymers for liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide, and partially fluorinated alkanes, are reviewed. The focus is on surfactant structure-performance relationships, development of non-fluorinated surfactants, and applications of CO2 continuous dispersions for nanoparticle and organic synthesis. Future prospects for these emerging technologies are discussed, including the need for economically viable and environmentally friendly stabilizers for CO2 dispersions.