Microfluidic Technology Based Synthesis of Inorganic Nano-biomaterials: Principles and Progress

doi:10.15541/jim20240431

Abstract

Abstract:

Inorganic nanoparticles have demonstrated significant applications in biomedicine field, whose biomedical functions and physicochemical properties are greatly influenced by their size and morphology. However, it still remains challenging to achieve high batch-to-batch reproducibility in the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles with traditional batch synthesis methods. Meanwhile, microfluidic technology offers an advanced strategy that provides high controllability and repeatability for the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles. Additionally, it facilitates rapid mass and heat transfer, while offering the advantages of small reaction volumes and low energy consumption, rendering it an ideal approach for the synthesis of inorganic nano-biomaterials. This article reviews the research and application progress of microfluidic technology in preparation of inorganic nano-biomaterials. Firstly, flow regimes and principles of mixing in the microfluidic devices are introduced. Subsequently, structural features and fluid mixing efficiency of five widely studied and applied microfluidic devices are presented. Importantly, applications of these microfluidic devices in synthesis and surface modification of inorganic nanoparticles are comprehensively summarized. Finally, this article briefly outlines challenges and potential opportunities for future developments in microfluidic-based synthesis and application of inorganic nano-biomaterials.

Key words: nanoparticle, microfluidics, microreactor, inorganic biomaterial, review

CLC Number:

R943

TIAN Ruizhi, LAN Zhengyi, YIN Jie, HAO Nanjing, CHEN Hangrong, MA Ming. Microfluidic Technology Based Synthesis of Inorganic Nano-biomaterials: Principles and Progress[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2025, 40(4): 337-347.

Figures/Tables 7

Fig. 1 Flow patterns and fluid mixing strategies in microfluidic devices (a) Diagram of laminar flow and turbulent flow in a microchannel; (b) Schematic diagram of active and passive mixing strategies in microfluidic device

Fig. 2 Fluid mixing in T-shaped microfluidic device and its application in synthesis of inorganic nano-biomaterials[25,35] (a) Influence of inlet orientation on the mixing profile and reaction selectivity[25]; (b) Schematic diagrams of SPION synthesis and labeling of human platelets (i), continuous flow (ii), and segmented flow (iii) used in the synthesis of SPION[35]

Fig. 3 Application of planar spiral microfluidic devices in the preparation of inorganic nano-biomaterials[42⇓⇓-45] (a) Simulatied and experimental results of mixing in spiral microchannel utilized in the microfluidic synthesis of smHSS[42]; (b) Spiral microreactor used for the preparation of MSNF[43]; (c) Spiral microreactor with three arcs and generation of spherical hollow SiO2 with hierarchical sponge-like porous structure[44]; (d) Schematic diagram showing the synthesis of triangular core-shell tAg@SiO2 with spiral microreactor[45]

Fig. 4 Application of three-dimensional helical microfluidic devices in the preparation of inorganic nano-biomaterials[48-49] (a) Schematic diagram for the synthesis of 1-Man-UAuNPs (left) and their TEM image (right)[48]; (b) Schematic diagram (i) and photograph (ii) of the bolt-nut microfluidic device made of stainless steel[49]

Fig. 5 Application of segmented flow microfluidic systems in the preparation of inorganic nano-biomaterials[61,66⇓ -68] (a) Schematic diagram showing the segmented flow microfluidic preparation of FeTPt, and the generation of FeTPt@CCM via CCM coating[61]; (b) Schematic illustration of the modular automated microfluidic platform based on gas-liquid segmented flow[66]; (c) Schematic of the self-driving “Artificial Chemist” for autonomous synthetic path discovery and optimization of colloidal quantum dots[67]; (d) Schematic of the gas-liquid segmented flow based microfluidic device for high-throughput and continuous synthesis of nano-Fe3O4[68]

Fig. 6 Application of flow-focusing microfluidic devices in the preparation and surface modification of inorganic nano-biomaterials[24,74⇓ -76] (a) Schematic illustration of the synthesis of CPMSN@SD using a flow-focusing microfluidic device[74]; (b) Schematic illustration of the microfluidic synthesis of IR780/DOX@ZIF-DH[75]; (c) Schematic illustration of the synthesis of pH/enzyme dual-environment responsive ZIF-DOX/RA@DG[76]; (d) Physical picture of the HBSCF device and micro CT image of the fluid mixing area (i), along with the enlarged cross-sectional view of the core hybrid structure within the HBSCF device (ii)[24]

Fig. 7 Application of ultrasound-enhanced microfluidic devices in the preparation and surface modification of inorganic nano-biomaterials[84⇓⇓-87] (a) Schematic diagram of ultrasound-enhanced microdroplet reaction system for the synthesis of Ag2S quantum dots[84]; (b) Schematic illustration of the microfluidic device employed for the simultaneous synthesis of ZIF-8 and encapsulation of HRP[85]; (c) Schematic illustration of the one-click green and integrated platform incorporating ultrasound-enhanced droplet arrays synthesis system and high-throughput screening system via Raman performance [86]; (d) Schematic diagram showing the construction of ZnO-Ag nanoarray inside of confined capillary microchannel as multifunctional biological enrichment and sensing platform[87]

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