Developing greener Nanomanufacturing of functionalized nanoparticles

The aim of this effort is to develop methods of manufacturing nanoparticles using a process that is efficient and minimizes waste, while maintaining the properties needed for high-performance applications.  The lessons that emerge from the research conducted during the initial SNNI funding cycle are the importance of developing (i) a mechanistic understanding of the reactions developed for use in microscale reactors, (ii) real-time, in situ, as well as ex situ, characterization methods to guide research and production decisions, and (iii) strong integration and project coordination between the chemistry and engineering in order to develop reactors and methods capable of continuous, high-rate production of highly functionalized nanoparticles.

Mechanistic studies an in situ spectroscopy toward high-rate, continuous flow nanoparticle production in microchannel reactors

The goal of the research group has been to develop continuous flow production of nanoparticles that increases production rate and decreases waste compared to the batch processes.  A first example, a > gram/hour production of monodisperse gold particles, has been accomplished. This research aims to build from the exciting results obtained, extending the size range of gold particles that can be synthesized, completing development of in situ probes of nanoparticle growth for microchannel reactions, integrating nanoparticle purification and parallelize production and applying these methods and approaches to the production of other metal nanoparticles.

Microsystem development for metal nanoparticle production

In our initial efforts, we developed a system that significantly reduces processing time and greatly improves product purity through the application of microreaction technology.  In addition, we demonstrated the feasibility and scalability of nanofiltration and size exclusion purification to gold nanoparticle products from the microreaction system. Based on the success of our prior SNNI effort and the knowledge gained from it, we will extend this research to explore the key mechanisms affecting nanoparticle production, the synthesis of other types of engineered nanoparticles, and continue towards total process integration. Additionally, we will explore the modification of the micromixers to include micro-emulsion capability. Device parameters such as flow rate, jet rate/frequency, nozzle material, and nozzle geometry will be investigated for their effects on microemulsion properties.

Apply the unique attributes of the microreactors to produce ceramic nanoparticles in the gas phase

Developing nanoparticles from materials other than gold will be beneficial in creating a variety of nano-scale devices for a plethora of applications. Thus we will expand our research to include production of ceramic nanoparticles, which we will synthesize in parallel microchannel reactors arrays. In particular, we will develop reactor fabrication methods and integrate powder synthesis to a suitable well-characterized processing stage. We will attempt to understand the influence of reaction parameters on nanoparticle synthesis and particle characteristics and define constraints pertinent to the reaction kinetics. Integral to this research, we will focus on two microscale technology areas: development of microscale chemical reactors and separators suitable for the development of microscale based chemical processes and the development of microscale biosensors devices. These will include development of the process and reactor design package based on the coupled transport-reaction modeling of the powder synthesis schemes.

The use of biological ligands to control the shape of nanoparticles

Faculty involved in this thrust:

Sundar Atre [Oregon State University]
Andy Berglund [University of Oregon]
Chih-hung [Alex] Chang [Oregon State University]
James Hutchison [University of Oregon]
Goran Jovanovic [Oregon State University]
Steve Kevan [University of Oregon]
Shoichi Kimura [Oregon State University]
Todd Miller [Oregon State University]
Vinod Narayanan [Oregon State University]
Daniel Palo [Pacific Northwest National Laboratory]
Brian K. Paul [Oregon State University]
Vincent T. Remcho [Oregon State University]

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