Screening of nanoparticle properties in microfluidic syntheses

Abstract

The possible diversity of nanoparticles is extremely high. This variability corresponds to a huge potential of possible functions in future materials and nanotechnical devices. Apart from rational designs, there is an urgent need for screening strategies for specific nanoparticle properties. Miniaturized screening techniques are challenged for efficient screening procedures. The review gives an overview on the possibilities of tuning and screening of nanoparticle properties and focuses on the application of microfluidic techniques for nanoparticle synthesis. Furthermore, the variation of parameters during the generation of nanoparticles and its connection with the resulting nanoparticle properties are highlighted as well. Among other microfluidic techniques, microsegmented flow is particularly promising for the synthesis of different types of homogeneous nanoparticles and offers interesting approaches for the screening of process parameters and nanoparticle properties. The tuning of reactant concentrations in the micro-flow-through synthesis of nonspherical silver particles and gold/silver core/shell particles and their effects on the shape, size, and optical parameters of the formed nanoparticles are given as examples for the application of microsegmented flow in the screening of nanoparticle properties.

Microfluidic Assisted Synthesis of Multipurpose Polymer Nanoassembly Particles for Fluorescence, LSPR, and SERS Activities

“…The peak shifts toward the higher wavelength (of ≈565 nm) and becomes broaden when Au nanoparticles are adsorbed to the surface of polymer nanoparticles. This broadening as well as bathochromic shift can be interpreted by the scattering effect of composite nanoparticles and due to the changes in refractive index of the medium . Figure c–f represents the assembly of Au nanoparticles with increasing density (population) on the surface of copolymer nanoparticles.…”

“…Adsorbed Au nanoparticles support the enhancement of additional silver (Ag) nanoparticles by metalcatalyzed metal nanoparticles deposition which is particularly interesting for the SERS sensing applications. Usually, the seed‐based silver nanoparticles synthesis is a common route for the homogeneous formation of the nanoparticles . The metal precursor in presence of only reducing agent as well as with only polymer particles does not forming the nanoparticles in speedy and uniform way.…”

Controlling formation and assembling of nanoparticles by control of electrical charging, polarization, and electrochemical potential

“…Beside spherical and compact nanoparticles of a single material, there is a particular and strongly increasing interest on nonspherical, special-shaped, and composed nanoparticles [5][6][7][8]. The high attractiveness of such nanoparticles results from the special physical properties that arise from their specific shapes and architectures [7][8][9][10][11].…”

“…The high attractiveness of such nanoparticles results from the special physical properties that arise from their specific shapes and architectures [7][8][9][10][11]. In analogy to molecules, the particle geometry, the distribution of atoms and electrical charges, charge mobility, and polarizability as well as proton affinity and the affinity for solvent molecules and ligands are affecting the nanoparticle properties and can be used for designing nano devices for sensing purposes and other functions.…”

Microfluidics-enabled rapid manufacturing of hierarchical silica-magnetic microflower toward enhanced circulating tumor cell screening

“…25 In particular, microfluidics-based microreactors have many appealing features that batch reactors can hardly achieve, for example, greatly reduced reactor dimensions and automated operations for minimized local variations, intensive mixing of chemical reactants for high yields, rapid reaction kinetics for fast screening and optimization of synthesis parameters, and elevated pressure and temperature in confined space for reactions with harsh conditions (explosive, toxic, or flammable). 26–28…”