Issue 69, 2014

A microfluidic process for on-chip formation of assemblies of oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

We report the continuous growth of spherical assemblies of silica and titania nanoparticles, which were pre-activated to produce hydroxyl/peroxy groups on their surface, by flowing a colloid-in-dioctyl phthalate emulsion into a polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic chip, which is held at a temperature of 120–130 °C. When the colloidal microdroplets enter the chip, the instantaneous heating results in vapour-based convective agitation and emulsion breakup, leading to microdroplet fusion and subsequent merging of their nanoparticle content. This progressively results in a robust large assembly obtained after sintering at 600 °C owing to strong chemical interparticle bonds.

Graphical abstract: A microfluidic process for on-chip formation of assemblies of oxide nanoparticles

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
24 Jun 2014
Accepted
30 Jul 2014
First published
30 Jul 2014

RSC Adv., 2014,4, 36725-36728

Author version available

A microfluidic process for on-chip formation of assemblies of oxide nanoparticles

V. K. Parashar, J. B. Wacker, D. Necula and M. A. M. Gijs, RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 36725 DOI: 10.1039/C4RA06188H

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