Design of a novel microreactor for microfluidic synthesis of silica nanoparticles

Abstract

Conventional microreactors for nanoparticle synthesis were operated at low flow velocity as well as more residence time because of low mixing efficiency of the meander micromixer. Here, we purpose a simple obstacle micromixer to be operated at a wide range of flow velocity for increasing single-channel synthesis production rate of silica nanoparticles. Results show our obstacle micromixer has over 85% mixing efficiency covering the flow regions in both convection and diffusion mixing. This microreactor was used to synthesize silica nanoparticles with an average diameter of 200–250 nm. Enhancing fluid mixing at high flow velocity can result in high production rate.