Application of Polyionic Macromolecules in Micro Flow Syntheses of Nanoparticles

Abstract

Polyionic macromolecules affect the synthesis of polymer, metal, and composite nanoparticles. Their application in microfluidic nanoparticle syntheses is of great interest because these processes work with high mixing rates and result in high homogeneities and yields of the desired products. Thus, the microfluidic synthesis of silver triangles in the presence of polystyrenesulfonate leads to a very narrow size distribution and allows a fine tuning of the geometrical and optical properties. From the electronic and chemical properties of these particles, it can be concluded that the electrical effect of adsorbed polyionic macromolecules plays a key role in their electrical self‐stabilization and reaction behavior. A similar effect caused by the electrical forces of polyionic additives is found in the microfluidic synthesis of polymer nanoparticles, in which the ratio of polyionic macromolecules to monomer decides about in situ assembling and determines the size and shape of the product particles. This electrical effect can also be used for ex situ heterogeneous nanoparticle assembling and for generation of hierarchically composed particles. In summary, polyionic additives can also be used as an efficient tool for controlling symmetry breaking (nonspherical shape) as well as homogeneous and heterogeneous assembling during the particle formation. image