Massively parallel flow-through system for nanoparticle synthesis
Massively parallel systems and methods are described suitable for high throughput and large-scale production of highly consistent nanoparticles. The systems include a device that utilizes a single pump to pump a reaction mixture simultaneously through multiple formation channels. One or more devices can be utilized in a single production line, and a system can include multiple production lines. A device of a system provides essentially identical interaction conditions throughout the multiple channels with highly controllable and consistent pumping conditions to provide well-controlled and consistent flow conditions in the channels. This consistency allows for well-defined reaction formation chemistry and thereby provides highly consistent nanoparticle products in large quantities in a short time period.
1 . A method for forming magnetic nanoparticles, comprising:
pumping by use of a first pump a first portion of a reaction mixture through a first channel;
simultaneously pumping by use of the first pump a second portion of the reaction mixture through a second channel, the first portion and the second portion both containing a first reactant, the first reactant comprising a metal salt;
reacting the first reactant with one or more additional reactants comprising an oxygen source to form the magnetic nanoparticles, wherein the first reactant and the one or more additional reactants react according to a precipitation reaction forming the magnetic nanoparticles comprising a metal of the metal salt; and
collecting the magnetic nanoparticles.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
combining a first fluid comprising the first reactant with a second fluid comprising a second reactant to form the reaction mixture; and
separating the reaction mixture to form the first portion and the second portion.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
pumping by use of a second pump a third portion of the reaction mixture through a third channel and a fourth portion of the reaction mixture through a fourth channel, the third portion and the fourth portion both containing a second reactant;
combining the first portion with the third portion;
combining the second portion with the fourth portion.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: simultaneously pumping by use of the first pump one or more additional portions of the reaction mixture through one or more additional channels, the one or more additional channels being aligned with the first channel and the second channel, the additional portions comprising the first reactant.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are formed at a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 100° C.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are formed at room temperature.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first pump is a peristaltic pump.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the oxygen source comprises sodium hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide.
9 . The method of claim 1 , the one or more additional reactants further comprising a polymer.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles comprise a core comprising the metal and a shell comprising the polymer.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the polymer comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone.