A microfluidic chip and method for synthesis of nanoparticles

A method for synthesising a nanoparticle, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) applying an organic solution to at least one inlet (4,4c-4h) of a microfluidic chip (100) comprising at least two inlets (2,4,4a-4j) in fluid communication with at least one channel (205,405) that meet at a junction (5,5a,5b) that is in fluid communication with a proximal end (3) of a channel (8,8a,8b,8c) thereof and an outlet (6) that is in fluid communication with a distal end (7) of the channel (8,8a,8b,8c), wherein the channel (8,8a,8b,8c) comprise a plurality of spaced-apart non-aerofoil-shaped baffle structures (10) continuous with an outer wall (11) of the channel (8,8a,8b,8c) and at least one aerofoil-shaped baffle structure (14) within the channel (8,8a,8b,8c), and wherein a microchannel (9) is formed around the spaced-apart non-aerofoil-shaped baffle structures (10) and the at least one aerofoil-shaped baffle structure (14) in the channel (8,8a,8b,8c) adapted to accommodate a fluid;
• (b) applying an aqueous solution to at least one inlet (2,4a,4b,4i,4j) of the microfluidic chip (100) that was not used in step (a);
• (c) applying pressure to the inlets (2,4,4a-4j) to set a desired flow rate through the channel (205,405), and thus (8,8a,8b,8c) and a flow rate ratio between channel (205, 405) and a total flow rate through channel (8,8a,8b,8c);
• and
• (d) retrieving the synthesised nanoparticle from the outlet 6 that is in fluid communication with the channel (8,8c).