Two-phase microfluidic droplet flows of ionic liquids for the synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2012 Jun 27;4(6):3077-83. doi: 10.1021/am3004413. Epub 2012 May 2.

Abstract

Droplet-based microfluidic platforms have the potential to provide superior control over mixing as compared to traditional batch reactions. Ionic liquids have advantageous properties for metal nanoparticle synthesis as a result of their low interfacial tension and complexing ability; however, droplet formation of ionic liquids within microfluidic channels in a two-phase system has not yet been attained because of their complex interfacial properties and high viscosities. Here, breakup of an imidazolium-based ionic liquid into droplets in a simple two-phase system has for the first time been achieved and characterized by using a microchannel modified with a thin film fluoropolymer. This microfluidic/ionic liquid droplet system was used to produce small, spherical gold (4.28 ± 0.84 nm) and silver (3.73 ± 0.77 nm) nanoparticles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.