Method for enhancing throughput and yield in nanoparticle production

A method for production of

• nanoparticles using solvothermal synthesis process, comprising:
• determining a metal precursor loading based on a target production rate of the nanoparticles, target nanoparticle properties, and a plurality of solubility plots of a metal precursor solution, wherein the plurality of solubility plots are dependent on process conditions of a reaction for production of nanoparticles, and wherein the process conditions comprises temperature, pressure, pH, aging time and stirring speed of a reaction mixture during the reaction, and wherein the metal precursor loading is up to a solubility limit of the metal precursor loading, wherein the speed of stirring is defined in terms of turbulence, and wherein a scale of turbulence is characterized by a Kolmogorov scale of mixing defined as:
• η
• =
• (
• υ
• 3
• ɛ
• )
• 1
• /
• 4
• ,
• where ν and ε are kinematic viscosity and turbulence kinetic energy dissipation rate per unit mass;
• determining viscosity and density of the reaction mixture based on the process conditions and the metal precursor loading;
• estimating, based on the viscosity, the density of the reaction mixture and a mixing time, an optimal stirring speed to obtain target mixing characteristics for nanoparticle production, the mixing time indicative of time for stirring the reaction mixture;
• enabling the reaction by pouring a pH modifier drop wise into the metal precursor solution with stirring, resulting in formation of a metal hydroxide solution, wherein the concentration of the metal precursor solution maintained in a range of about 0.025 Molar to 2 Molar, pH in the range of 9 to 12, wherein the speed of stirring is the optimal stirring speed, and wherein the optimal stirring speed is in a range of about 800 to 1200 rpm;
• and
• heating the metal hydroxide solution and maintaining a temperature of the reaction in the range of 25° C. to 400° C. with aging time in the range of 6 to 24 hours to obtain nanoparticle slurry comprising the nanoparticles.