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Continuous high-flux synthesis of gold nanoparticles with controllable sizes: a simple microfluidic system

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Abstract

Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) have potential for use in many optical and electronic applications due to their shape- and size-dependent properties. However, it remains a significant challenge to synthesize size- and shape-controlled NPs on a large scale while maintaining their unique properties. We have demonstrated a simple and effective microreactor based on a microfluidic chip and liquid peristaltic pump for the synthesis of monodispersed Au NPs. This reactor allows for the continuous high-flux synthesis of Au NPs with precisely controlled sizes. The effects of reaction temperature, reaction time, flow ratio of the two inlets, and amount of surfactant agent are investigated in this study. The uniform and ultrafine Au NPs were synthesized by directly controlling the temperature, flow rate, surfactant concentration, and flow rate ratio. Moreover, the Au NPs are fabricated controllably, continuously, and stably on a large scale with this system. The proposed system thus contributes to the large-scale industrial production of NPs.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51771170, 51871196), Yunnan Applied Basic Research Project (2018FB090, 2017FB080), and the fund of the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies for Comprehensive Utilization of Platinum Metals (SKL-SPM-2018013).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yunnan Key Laboratory for Micro/Nano Materials and Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China

    Xudong Zhang, Su Ma, Jiangwei Lu, Xuemin Geng, Yanfen Wan & Peng Yang

  2. Sino-Platinum Metals Co., Ltd., Kunming, 650106, China

    Aikun Li & Ming Xie

  3. College of Metrology and Measurement Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China

    Linya Chen & Xiaoyu Liang

Authors
  1. Xudong Zhang
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  2. Su Ma
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  3. Aikun Li
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  4. Linya Chen
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  5. Jiangwei Lu
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  6. Xuemin Geng
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  7. Ming Xie
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  8. Xiaoyu Liang
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  9. Yanfen Wan
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  10. Peng Yang
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Correspondence to Xiaoyu Liang, Yanfen Wan or Peng Yang.

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Zhang, X., Ma, S., Li, A. et al. Continuous high-flux synthesis of gold nanoparticles with controllable sizes: a simple microfluidic system. Appl Nanosci 10, 661–669 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-019-01214-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13204-019-01214-y

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