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Micro-Segmented Flow pp 149–200Cite as

Micro Continuous-Flow Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Using Micro Fluid Segment Technology

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Part of the book series: Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering ((BIOMEDICAL))

Abstract

The micro segmented flow technique is very promising for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles, in particular for plasmonic nanoparticles and is very useful for combinatorial syntheses and screenings of new types of nanomaterials. In this chapter, the specific properties and technical as well as scientific challenges related to metal nanoparticles, the advantages of micro segmented flow and draw-backs of conventional synthesis for metal nanoparticles as well as the general applicability and the potential for the application of micro segmented flow for the preparation of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles are discussed. The specific conditions of micro segmented flow are described relating to the critical steps of reactant mixing, nucleation, and particle growth. It is shown that the intensification of local transport in the microfluidic system causes a significant improvement in particle homogeneity. In the formation and handling of metal particles, aspects of redox reactions, electrochemical parameters, and aspects of coordination chemistry have to be reconsidered. Ligands, which are able to interact with the metal ions in solution or with the forming nanoparticles, have a strong effect on the particle formation, their transport behavior, and interaction. The effect of fast reactant mixing supported by intensive segment-internal convection due to high flow rates is used in order to obtain uniform conditions for nucleation as well as for the particle growth. It is explained why non-spherical particles are of particular interest for different applications and how their quality can be improved by the application of microfluidic synthesis techniques, too. The formation of silver prisms by a micro continuous-flow synthesis in micro fluid segments will be given as a typical example allowing the tuning of the optical properties of the colloidal solutions. Finally, it is demonstrated that the micro segmented flow technique is well suited for an automated variation of composition of reactant mixtures. Thus, it is possible to screen a large quantity of different compositions in one single experimental run, combined with a minimum of consumed chemicals. The integration of miniaturized optical devices allows an online monitoring and the real-time detection of the effect of changing transport and reaction conditions on the properties of synthesized nanomaterials.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding from the DFG (FKK. 1403/22-1). The help of Henry Romanus with TEM measurements is highly appreciated. Furthermore, we would like to thank Frances Möller and Steffen Schneider for their technical support. A special gratitude for the useful discussions is also addressed to our colleagues from the IPHT Jena, Wolfgang Fritzsche and Andrea Csáki.

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  1. Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ilmenau University of Technology, PF 10 05 65, 98684, Ilmenau, Germany

    Andrea Knauer & J. Michael Köhler

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  1. Andrea Knauer
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  2. J. Michael Köhler
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Correspondence to Andrea Knauer .

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  1. Technical University Ilmenau Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Ilmenau, Germany

    J. Michael Köhler

  2. Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques, Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany

    Brian P. Cahill

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Knauer, A., Köhler, J.M. (2014). Micro Continuous-Flow Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Using Micro Fluid Segment Technology. In: Köhler, J., Cahill, B. (eds) Micro-Segmented Flow. Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38780-7_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38780-7_7

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