Using flow technologies to direct the synthesis and assembly of materials in solution

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Abstract

In the pursuit of materials with structure-related function, directing the assembly of materials is paramount. The resultant structure can be controlled by ordering of reactants, spatial confinement and control over the reaction/crystallisation times and stoichiometries. These conditions can be administered through the use of flow technologies as evidenced by the growing widespread application of microfluidics for the production of nanomaterials; the function of which is often dictated or circumscribed by size. In this review a range of flow technologies is explored for use in the control of self-assembled systems: including techniques for reagent ordering, mixing control and high-throughput optimisation. The examples given encompass organic, inorganic and biological systems and focus on control of shape, function, composition and size. Graphical abstract.

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  • Fig. 1 Example of a flow chemistry chip with liquid segmented flow, R1–3 reagents, S separating fluid (prevents premature reaction between R1 and R3. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [2]. Copyright 2004 The Royal Society of Chemistry
  • Fig. 2 a Open tubular meso-reactor with liquid segmented flow. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [3]. Copyright 2003 Elsevier B.V. b Kenics-type insert for mixing in tubular reactors. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [5]. Copyright 2010 American Chemical Society, c Couette–Taylor crystalliser highlighting vortexes. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [6]. Copyright 2012 American Chemical Society, d COBC showing eddie formation with oscillation. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [7]. Copyright 2015 American Chemical Society
  • Fig. 3 a Schematic representation of microfluidic for quenched CdS nanoparticle production, b UV–Vis spectra showing sharper absorbance for quenched nanoparticles than non-quenched. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [2]. Copyright 2004 The Royal Society of Chemistry
  • Fig. 4 a Formation of nanowires at solution boundary, b entrapment of nanowires through activation of donut-shaped clamp, c close-up of trapped nanowire under donut clamp, d nanowires stay in position after careful deactivation of clamp under non-flowing conditions, e highlighting different sizes of nanowire bundles achievable by use of various clamp shapes. Scale bars a, b, e 100 μm and c, d 50 μm. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [15]. Copyright 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry
  • Fig. 5 a Trapped TTF-Au nanowire in clamp with small opening, b fluorescence imaging showing successful post-synthetic functionalisation. Scale bars 100 μm. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [15]. Copyright 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry
  • Fig. 6 a Reactor used for nanowire synthesis showing inlets, b simulated flow of sheath (A and C) and reagent flows at a ratio of 0.1, c ratio 10, d schematic representation of hollow nanowire assembly. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [16]. Copyright 2010 WILEY–VCH Verlag GmbH & Co
  • Fig. 7 a Schematic view of the stopped flow lithography (SFL) microfluidic device developed by Doyle et al. b Polymerisation is prevented at the interface of the reactor walls due to oxygen inhibition. This prevents any fouling and enables the particles to be washed downstream with resumed flow, c range of PEG-DA particles synthesised (insets show transparency masks used for each shape, scale bars are 10 μm), the height is determined by the microfluidic channel. All images are copyright Nature Publishing group and reprinted with permission from Ref. [17]
  • Fig. 8 Fluorescence imaging of microgels showing degradation of gel over time; a non-degradable PEG-DA control, b–d. 30, 20, 10 wt% PEG-PLA. Scale bars are 50 μm. Images are reprinted with permission from Ref. [18] Copyright 2009 American Chemical Society

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APA

Robertson, K. (2017, January 5). Using flow technologies to direct the synthesis and assembly of materials in solution. Chemistry Central Journal. BioMed Central Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-016-0229-1

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