Micro-fluidic chip for high-flux synthesis of colloidal quantum dots and use method of micro-fluidic chip

Abstract

The invention provides a micro-fluidic chip for high-flux synthesis of colloidal quantum dots and a use method of the micro-fluidic chip, and relates to the technical field of colloidal quantum dot synthesis. The micro-fluidic chip comprises: a substrate; the microfluidic channel is arranged on the substrate and is configured to be of a hollow channel structure, and the microfluidic channel comprises a plurality of liquid inlets used for injecting raw materials and functional solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots; the plurality of liquid outlets are respectively formed in different positions of the microfluidic channel and are used for outputting the colloidal quantum dot solution; the micro-fluidic chip is configured to enable raw materials or functional solutions required for synthesizing the colloidal quantum dots to stay for different time in the micro-fluidic channel, so that the colloidal quantum dots with different sizes are generated. According to the micro-fluidic chip, different liquid outlets are formed in different positions of the micro-fluidic channel, so that the retention time of raw materials or functional solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots in the micro-fluidic channel is different, and colloidal quantum dots with different sizes can be obtained by collecting colloidal quantum dot solutions at different positions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of colloidal quantum dot synthesis, and more particularly, to a microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots and a method for using the same. Background Art

[0002] It has been found that the longer the synthesis time of colloidal quantum dots in a container, the larger the size of the quantum dots; and the longer the ion exchange time, the more obvious the compositional change of the colloidal quantum dots. Based on the above conclusions, a high-throughput microfluidic chip for the synthesis of colloidal quantum dots is designed, and multiple different colloidal quantum dots can be synthesized in a single experiment. However, the related technologies for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots in the prior art are still in a blank state. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present disclosure provides a microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots and a method for using the same.

[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots, comprising: a substrate; a microfluidic channel provided on the substrate and configured as a hollow channel structure, including: a plurality of inlets for injecting raw materials and functional solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots; a plurality of outlets respectively provided at different positions of the microfluidic channel for outputting colloidal quantum dot solutions; wherein the microfluidic chip is configured to enable the raw materials or functional solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots to stay in the microfluidic channel for different times, so as to produce colloidal quantum dots of different sizes.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of inlets include: a first inlet, a second inlet, and a third inlet; wherein the first inlet and the second inlet are respectively used for injecting two precursor solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots, and the third inlet is used for injecting a functional solution required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the functional solution includes: a ligand for passivation, a precursor for ion exchange, or a solvent for liquid-phase ligand replacement.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of outlets include: a first outlet, a second outlet, a third outlet, a fourth outlet, a fifth outlet, a sixth outlet, a seventh outlet, an eighth outlet, a ninth outlet, and a tenth outlet; wherein the first to sixth outlets are respectively used for outputting raw colloidal quantum dot solutions with different residence times, and the seventh to tenth outlets are respectively used for outputting quantum dot solutions under passivation, ion exchange, and ligand replacement with different residence times.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the material of the substrate includes a glass material.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the material of the microfluidic chip includes polydimethylsiloxane.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the width of the microfluidic channel is 100 μm to 1000 μm, and the height of the channel structure is 50 μm to 500 μm.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the microfluidic chip is further configured to be able to generate colloidal quantum dots of different sizes by adjusting different heating temperatures during the synthesis process.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the microfluidic chip is further configured to be able to generate colloidal quantum dots of different sizes by changing the ratio of the injected solutions.

[0013] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for using a microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots, including: injecting quantum dot raw materials and functional solutions from the liquid inlet using a high-precision injection pump; the quantum dot raw materials reach the mixing unit through the injection channel, and after being fully mixed in the mixing unit, they are injected into the reaction channel. Among them, at the same flow rate, in reaction channels of different lengths, the residence time of the quantum dot raw materials is different, the sizes of the synthesized colloidal quantum dots are different, the mixing length of the synthesized colloidal quantum dots and the functional solutions is different, and the influence degree on the size of the colloidal quantum dots is different; adjusting the heating temperature of the microfluidic chip at fixed intervals during the synthesis process to obtain colloidal quantum dots of different sizes; adjusting the ratio of the quantum dot raw materials and the functional solutions during the synthesis process to obtain colloidal quantum dots of different sizes.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots and the method for using the same provided by the present disclosure have at least the following beneficial effects:

[0015] The microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots and the method for using the same provided by the present disclosure design a high-throughput microfluidic chip. By setting different liquid outlets at different positions in the microfluidic channel, in this way, the residence time of the raw materials or functional solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots in the microfluidic channel will be different. At this time, collecting colloidal quantum dot solutions at different positions can obtain colloidal quantum dots of different sizes. The high-throughput microfluidic chip has a simple structure and convenient operation, is suitable for industrial applications, and fills the gap in the related technologies for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots in the prior art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Through the following description of the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become clearer. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1A top view of a microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown;

[0018] Figure 2 A physical diagram of a microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown. Detailed implementation manners

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In the following detailed description, for the sake of explanation, many specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it is obvious that one or more embodiments can also be implemented without these specific details. In addition, in the following description, descriptions of well-known structures and technologies are omitted to avoid unnecessarily confusing the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0020] The terms used herein are merely for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The terms "including", "comprising", etc. used herein indicate the presence of the described features, steps, operations, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, or components.

[0021] All terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. It should be noted that the terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the context of this specification and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly rigid manner.

[0022] In the case of using expressions such as "at least one of A, B, and C, etc.", generally, it should be interpreted according to the meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art (for example, "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" should include, but not be limited to, a system having only A, only B, only C, having A and B, having A and C, having B and C, and / or having A, B, and C, etc.).

[0023] Research has found that the longer the synthesis time of colloidal quantum dots in a container, the larger the size of the quantum dots; the longer the ion exchange time, the more obvious the compositional change of the colloidal quantum dots. Based on the above conclusions, a high-throughput microfluidic chip for the synthesis of colloidal quantum dots is designed, and multiple different colloidal quantum dots can be synthesized in a single experiment. However, the related technologies for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots in the prior art are still in a blank state.

[0024] Based on this, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots. The microfluidic chip includes: a substrate; a microfluidic channel disposed on the substrate and configured as a hollow channel structure, including: a plurality of inlets for injecting raw materials and functional solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots; a plurality of outlets respectively disposed at different positions of the microfluidic channel for outputting colloidal quantum dot solutions; wherein the microfluidic chip is configured to enable the raw materials or functional solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots to have different residence times in the microfluidic channel, thereby producing colloidal quantum dots of different sizes.

[0025] The microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure designs a high-throughput microfluidic chip. By setting different outlets at different positions in the microfluidic channel, in this way, the raw materials or functional solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots will have different residence times in the microfluidic channel. At this time, collecting colloidal quantum dot solutions at different positions can obtain colloidal quantum dots of different sizes. This high-throughput microfluidic chip has a simple structure and convenient operation, is suitable for industrial applications, and fills the gap in the related technologies for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots in the existing technology.

[0026] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer and more understandable, the following further describes the present invention in detail with reference to specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Figure 1 A top view of a microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0028] As Figure 1 shown, the structure of the microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots in this embodiment may include: a substrate and a microfluidic channel.

[0029] Among them, the material of the substrate may be a glass material.

[0030] The microfluidic channel is disposed on the substrate and configured as a hollow channel structure. The microfluidic channel includes a plurality of inlets and a plurality of outlets.

[0031] The plurality of inlets are used for injecting raw materials and functional solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots, and the plurality of outlets are respectively disposed at different positions of the microfluidic channel for outputting colloidal quantum dot solutions.

[0032] The microfluidic chip is configured to enable the raw materials or functional solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots to have different residence times in the microfluidic channel, thereby producing colloidal quantum dots of different sizes. The material of the microfluidic chip may be PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane).

[0033] In this embodiment, the microfluidic channel may specifically include 3 inlets and 10 outlets.

[0034] The three liquid inlets may include, for example, a first liquid inlet, a second liquid inlet, and a third liquid inlet.

[0035] Among them, the first liquid inlet (i.e., liquid inlet 1) and the second liquid inlet (i.e., liquid inlet 2) are respectively used to inject two precursor solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots, and the third liquid inlet (i.e., liquid inlet 3) is used to inject a functional solution required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots. The functional solution may be a ligand for passivation, a precursor for ion exchange, or a solvent for liquid-phase ligand replacement, etc.

[0036] The ten liquid outlets may include, for example, a first liquid outlet, a second liquid outlet, a third liquid outlet, a fourth liquid outlet, a fifth liquid outlet, a sixth liquid outlet, a seventh liquid outlet, an eighth liquid outlet, a ninth liquid outlet, and a tenth liquid outlet.

[0037] Among them, the first to sixth liquid outlets (i.e., liquid outlets 1 - 6) are respectively used to output the original colloidal quantum dot solutions with different residence times, and the seventh to tenth liquid outlets (i.e., liquid outlets 7 - 10) are respectively used to output the quantum dot solutions under passivation, ion exchange, or ligand replacement at different residence times.

[0038] In this embodiment, the width of the microfluidic channel can be designed to be 100 μm to 1000 μm, and the height of the channel structure can be designed to be 50 μm to 500 μm.

[0039] In addition, in this embodiment, the microfluidic chip is configured not only to enable the raw materials or functional solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots to have different residence times in the microfluidic channel to produce colloidal quantum dots of different sizes, but also to be configured to produce colloidal quantum dots of different sizes by adjusting different heating temperatures during the synthesis process, and to be able to produce colloidal quantum dots of different sizes by changing the ratio of the injected solutions.

[0040] The microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be prepared by the following method:

[0041] It is prepared by using micro-nano processing technology. After exposure and development on a photoresist substrate, a mold with a preset structure is obtained. Then, the mold is covered with polydimethylsiloxane and cured and peeled off. Then, the peeled polydimethylsiloxane is transferred to a glass substrate to form a hollow channel structure, and then a microfluidic high-throughput screening chip with a chip material of polydimethylsiloxane is obtained.

[0042] Figure 2 A physical diagram of the microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is schematically shown.

[0043] AsFigure 2 As shown, for the microfluidic chip used in the high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots in this embodiment, a high-throughput microfluidic chip is designed using polydimethylsiloxane on a glass substrate. By setting different liquid outlets at different positions in the microfluidic channel, in this way, the residence time of the raw materials or functional solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots in the microfluidic channel will be different. At this time, collecting the colloidal quantum dot solutions at different positions can obtain colloidal quantum dots of different sizes.

[0044] This high-throughput microfluidic chip has a simple structure and is easy to operate, is suitable for industrial applications, and fills the gap in the related technologies for the high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots in the existing technology.

[0045] Another aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure also provides a method for using a microfluidic chip for the high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots.

[0046] The method for using the microfluidic chip for the high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be, for example:

[0047] Using a high-precision injection pump to inject quantum dot raw materials and functional solutions from the liquid inlet;

[0048] The quantum dot raw materials reach the mixing unit through the injection channel, and after being fully mixed in the mixing unit, they are injected into the reaction channel. Among them, at the same flow rate, in reaction channels of different lengths, the residence time of the quantum dot raw materials is different, the sizes of the synthesized colloidal quantum dots are different, and the lengths of the synthesized colloidal quantum dots mixed with the functional solutions are different, and the influence degrees on the sizes of the colloidal quantum dots are different;

[0049] During the synthesis process, the heating temperature of the microfluidic chip is adjusted at fixed intervals to obtain colloidal quantum dots of different sizes;

[0050] During the synthesis process, the ratio of the quantum dot raw materials and the functional solutions is adjusted to obtain colloidal quantum dots of different sizes.

[0051] In this embodiment, a high-precision injection pump is used to inject quantum dot raw materials and functional solutions from the liquid inlet, and the raw materials reach the mixing unit through the injection channel and are fully mixed in the mixing channel and then injected into the reaction channel.

[0052] At the same flow rate, in reaction channels of different lengths, the residence time of the raw materials is different, and the sizes of the synthesized quantum dots are also different. The lengths of the synthesized quantum dots mixed with the functional solutions are different, and the influence degrees on the quantum dots are also different. Using this microfluidic chip, the synthesis process of various colloidal quantum dot materials can be realized. Therefore, 10 different quantum dots can be synthesized in one experiment.

[0053] In addition, during the synthesis process, change the heating temperature of the microfluidic chip at fixed intervals. More colloidal quantum dots of different sizes can be obtained in one experiment. Assuming that the temperature is changed 10 times during the synthesis process, 100 different quantum dots can be synthesized. At the same time, more colloidal quantum dots of different sizes can also be obtained by changing the ratio of the injected solutions.

[0054] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the possible architectures, functions, and operations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, a segment of a program, or a part of code, and the above-mentioned module, segment of a program, or part of code contains one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions marked in the blocks may occur in a different order than that marked in the accompanying drawings. For example, two consecutive blocks shown may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in the block diagram or flowchart, as well as combinations of blocks in the block diagram or flowchart, can be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system for performing the specified functions or operations, or can be implemented by a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions. Those skilled in the art can understand that the features described in various embodiments of the present disclosure can be combined and / or combined in various ways, even if such combinations or combinations are not explicitly described in the present disclosure. In particular, without departing from the spirit and teachings of the present disclosure, the features described in various embodiments of the present disclosure can be combined and / or combined in various ways. All such combinations and / or combinations fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0055] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. However, these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Although the embodiments have been described separately above, this does not mean that the measures in each embodiment cannot be used advantageously in combination. Without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art can make various substitutions and modifications, and all such substitutions and modifications should fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots, characterized in that: The microfluidic chip comprises: substrate; The microfluidic channel is disposed on the substrate and is configured as a hollow channel structure, comprising: Multiple liquid inlets for injecting raw materials and functional solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots; A plurality of liquid outlets are respectively arranged at different positions of the microfluidic channel for outputting the colloidal quantum dot solution; The microfluidic chip is configured to enable the raw materials or functional solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots to stay in the microfluidic channel for different periods of time, thereby producing colloidal quantum dots of different sizes.

2. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of liquid inlets include: a first liquid inlet, a second liquid inlet and a third liquid inlet; The first liquid inlet and the second liquid inlet are respectively used to inject two precursor solutions required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots, and the third liquid inlet is used to inject a functional solution required for synthesizing colloidal quantum dots.

3. The microfluidic chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The functional solution includes: a ligand for passivation, a precursor for ion exchange or a solvent for liquid phase ligand replacement.

4. The microfluidic chip according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plurality of liquid outlets include: a first liquid outlet, a second liquid outlet, a third liquid outlet, a fourth liquid outlet, a fifth liquid outlet, a sixth liquid outlet, a seventh liquid outlet, an eighth liquid outlet, a ninth liquid outlet and a tenth liquid outlet; Among them, the first liquid outlet to the sixth liquid outlet are respectively used to output original colloidal quantum dot solutions with different residence times, and the seventh liquid outlet to the tenth liquid outlet are respectively used to output passivation, ion exchange and ligand replacement quantum dot solutions with different residence times.

5. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the substrate includes glass material.

6. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the microfluidic chip includes polydimethylsiloxane.

7. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width of the microfluidic channel is 100 μm to 1000 μm, and the height of the channel structure is 50 μm to 500 μm.

8. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microfluidic chip is also configured to produce colloidal quantum dots of different sizes by adjusting different heating temperatures during the synthesis process.

9. The microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The microfluidic chip is also configured to produce colloidal quantum dots of different sizes by changing the ratio of the injected solution.

10. A method for using a microfluidic chip for high-throughput synthesis of colloidal quantum dots, characterized in that: The method comprises: A high-precision injection pump is used to inject the quantum dot raw materials and functional solution from the liquid inlet; The quantum dot raw material reaches the mixing unit through the injection channel, is fully mixed in the mixing unit, and then is injected into the reaction channel. Under the same flow rate, in the reaction channels of different lengths, the residence time of the quantum dot raw material is different, the size of the synthesized colloidal quantum dots is different, and the length of mixing of the synthesized colloidal quantum dots and the functional solution is different, which has different degrees of influence on the size of the colloidal quantum dots. During the synthesis process, the heating temperature of the microfluidic chip is adjusted at fixed intervals to obtain colloidal quantum dots of different sizes; During the synthesis process, the ratio of quantum dot raw materials and functional solution is adjusted to obtain colloidal quantum dots of different sizes.

Images