Continuous flow reactor for the synthesis of nanoparticles

Abstract

A continuous flow reactor for the efficient synthesis of nanoparticles with a high degree of crystallinity, uniform particle size, and homogenous stoichiometry throughout the crystal is described. Disclosed embodiments include a flow reactor with an energy source for rapid nucleation of the procurors following by a separate heating source for growing the nucleates. Segmented flow may be provided to facilitate mixing and uniform energy absorption of the precursors, and post production quality testing in communication with a control system allow automatic real-time adjustment of the production parameters. The nucleation energy source can be monomodal, multimodal, or multivariable frequency microwave energy and tuned to allow different precursors to nucleate at substantially the same time thereby resulting in a substantially homogenous nanoparticle. A shell application system may also be provided to allow one or more shell layers to be formed onto each nanoparticle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. Nos. 61 / 783,753; 61 / 783,911; 61 / 784,107; 61 / 784,257; 61 / 784,306; 61 / 784,358; and 61 / 784,183 filed on Mar. 14, 2013, all of the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD[0002]The present disclosure relates to a system and method for efficient and continuous production of uniformly-sized nanoparticles which include metal nanoparticles and nanocrystalline quantum dots.BACKGROUND[0003]This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.[0004]Nanoparticles, which can be classified as nanocrystalline materials, nanocrystallites, nanocrystals, quantum dots, and quantum dot materials are produced and used for a wide variety of applications. For example, semiconductor nanocrystallites emit a visible light over a narrow range of wavelengths and are used in the fabrication of light emitting ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent is about a system and method for making nanoparticles. The invention allows for the production of consistent and repeatable quantum dots in large quantities that are both cost-effective and efficient. The patent also covers methods for improving the electronic and optical properties of quantum dots by adding shells and making them more durable.

Problems solved by technology

An increase in the FWHM means that one of multiple effects could be taking place, such as: large particle size distribution (COV>15%), insufficient degree of crystallinity resulting in trap states that have different energies than a highly crystalline nanoparticle, and inhomogeneity of the material—giving rise to multiple excitations or emissions from the various regions within the nanoparticle or batch of nanoparticles.

Also, nanoparticles may be formed that are not feasible using traditional colloidal nanoparticle synthetic techniques.

Accordingly, the formation of these nanoparticles is only done through high energy intensive and expensive deposition systems such as Atomic Layer Deposition (“ALD”).

Poor coverage by the first shell, or poor lattice matching by the first shell will result in low quantum yields (50%).

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