A high throughput methodology for continuous preparation of monodispersed nanocrystals in microfluidic reactors

T-type microchannel reactors were used to prepare monodispersed nanocrystals of barium sulfate and boehmite. The size of barium sulfate is strongly dependent on the velocity of the reactants in the channel. High velocity is beneficial for producing small particles. The concentration of reactants also affects the size. Boehmite was prepared by neutralization of NaAlO2 and Al2(SO4)3. Changing the proportion of NaAlO2 and Al2(SO4)3 will lead to different pH values which determine the phase of alumina. High efficiency of micromixing is the key factor of the purity of the alumina morphology. Na2CO3 was used to adjust pH at given value during aging process. Aging is indispensable for the amorphous alumina to crystallize to boehmite. Raising the age temperature would reduce the time the crystallization need. The morphology and purity were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).