Optimising a vortex fluidic device for controlling chemical reactivity and selectivity

Lyzu Yasmin,Colin L Raston,Keith A Stubbs,Xianjue Chen

doi:10.1038/srep02282

Lyzu Yasmin, Colin L Raston + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1038/srep02282

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Abstract

A vortex fluidic device (VFD) involving a rapidly rotating tube open at one end forms dynamic thin films at high rotational speed for finite sub-millilitre volumes of liquid, with shear within the films depending on the speed and orientation of the tube. Continuous flow operation of the VFD where jet feeds of solutions are directed to the closed end of the tube provide additional tuneable shear from the viscous drag as the liquid whirls along the tube. The versatility of this simple, low cost microfluidic device, which can operate under confined mode or continuous flow is demonstrated in accelerating organic reactions, for model Diels-Alder dimerization of cyclopentadienes, and sequential aldol and Michael addition reactions, in accessing unusual 2,4,6-triarylpyridines. Residence times are controllable for continuous flow processing with the viscous drag dominating the shear for flow rates >0.1 mL/min in a 10 mm diameter tube rotating at >2000 rpm.

Highlights

Optimising a vortex fluidic device for controlling chemical reactivity and selectivity Lyzu Yasmin[1], Xianjue Chen[1], Keith A
The versatility of this simple, low cost microfluidic device, which can operate under confined mode or continuous flow is demonstrated in accelerating organic reactions, for model Diels-Alder dimerization of cyclopentadienes, and sequential aldol and Michael addition reactions, in accessing unusual 2,4,6-triarylpyridines
We have recently established that the vortex fluidic device (VFD) is effective in exfoliating graphite and h-BN25,26, controlling the decoration of palladium nano-particles on carbon nano-onions arising from the high mass transfer of hydrogen gas[27] and palladium nano-particles on graphene[28], disassembling self organised molecular capsules[14,29], the synthesis of superparamagnetic magnetite nanoparticles embedded in polyvinylpyrrolidone followed by entrapping microalgal cells within this material, and in entrapping them in graphene oxide[30,31]

Summary

Introduction

Optimising a vortex fluidic device for controlling chemical reactivity and selectivity Lyzu Yasmin[1], Xianjue Chen[1], Keith A. We report the details of a low cost vortex fluidic device (VFD) which has a rapidly rotating tube open at one end, where at high rotational speed, intense shear is generated in the resulting thin films for finite sub-millilitre volumes of liquid, depending on the speed and orientation of the tube, and other operating parameters. This is the ‘confined mode’ of operation of the VFD. Another advantage of VFD is that it can operate in a so-called confined mode for a finite volume of liquid, for extending the shearing time, where the instability of the thin films arises exclusively from a combination of centrifugal force and gravity[25]

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