The need to make nanoparticles simpler and cheaper to produce makes it essential to
develop new synthesis techniques. One area with great potential for the development of
new synthesis processes for the production of nanoparticles is microfluidics.
Miniaturization of processes in microfluidic devices allows for intensification and more
controlled synthesis of nanoparticles. In fact, controlled reaction conditions allow the
synthesis of monodisperse nanoparticles.
In the framework of the MSc thesis, we focused on the development of a microflow
system for the continuous synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles. In this context, different
microfluidic devices were tested and their advantages and disadvantages were compared.
We have also developed a microreactor made of polydimethylsiloxane as part of the
master thesis.
Particles synthesized in a microfluidic system based on the addition of reagents to
unstabilized droplets were measured for size and zeta potential. The effect of the addition
of different amounts of citric acid, which acts as a particle stabilizer, on the particle size
was also verified. The results show that as the addition of the stabilizer increases, the
particle diameter decreases until nanoparticle dissolution occurs. Also, the addition of
citric acid improves the stability of the nanoparticles, which is also consistent with the
results reported in the literature. The process produced stable nanoparticles with a size of
about 100 nm and a zeta potential higher than 30.
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