Dependence of size distribution of nanoparticles on hole size uniformity in membrane emulsification

Abstract

Metal oxide nanoparticles were fabricated by membrane emulsification using alumina through-hole membranes with different hole size uniformity. Hole size of alumina through-hole membrane used for membrane emulsification and the size of obtained nanoparticles were evaluated by SEM observation, and the relationship between the uniformity of hole size and the size distribution of the obtained nanoparticles was investigated. As a result, nanoparticles with higher size uniformity were obtained when the RSD (relative standard deviation) of hole size was 3.8%. This indicates that the hole size uniformity of the emulsification membrane is important for the fabrication of droplets and nanoparticles of uniform size by membrane emulsification.