Continuous microwave-assisted segmented flow reactor for high-quality nanocrystal synthesis
AssigneeState of Oregon acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of Oregon State University
InventorsKi-Joong Kim, Eric Bradley Hostetler, Gregory Scott Herman, Daniel Alan Peterson, Chih-hung Chang, Brendan Thomas Flynn, Brian Kevin Paul, Richard Paul Oleksak
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Abstract
Systems and methods for synthesizing high-quality nanocrystals via segmented, continuous flow microwave-assisted reactor were developed.
Claims36
A continuous, microwave-assisted, segmented flow reactor system for nanocrystal synthesis, comprising:
- a. a nanocrystal precursor source configured to comprise a nanocrystal precursor solution;
- b. a microwave reactor in fluid communication with the nanocrystal precursor source and having a fluid passageway passing through the microwave reactor configured to allow the nanocrystal precursor solution to pass therethrough;
- and
- c. a segmentation fluid source disposed in fluid communication with the fluid passageway at a location between the nanocrystal precursor source and the microwave reactor, the segmentation fluid source configured to provide a segmentation fluid that is immiscible with the nanocrystal precursor solution.
A method for synthesizing nanocrystals using a continuous, microwave-assisted, segmented flow reactor, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a nanocrystal precursor solution;
- b. segmenting the nanocrystal precursor solution with a segmentation fluid that is immiscible with the nanocrystal precursor solution to yield a segmented nanocrystal precursor solution;
- c. continuously flowing the segmented nanocrystal precursor solution through a microwave reactor having a microwave zone;
- and
- d. irradiating the segmented nanocrystal precursor solution flowing through the microwave zone to provide nanocrystals.
A continuous flow reactor comprising:
- a mixer for mixing a first and a second precursor together into a mixture and providing the mixture to a fluid passageway;
- a segmentation fluid source for inserting a gas into the fluid passageway to provide segmented flow of the mixture along the fluid passageway;
- an energy source for nucleating the segmented flow of the mixture in the fluid passageway, thereby producing nucleates;
- and
- a heating source for growing the nucleates in the fluid passageway thereby growing the nucleates into nanoparticles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.