Seeded Particle Growth for Controlled Size and Monodispersity
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of effective methods for preparing larger particles with controlled size and high yield for applications such as biomolecule adsorption and isolation from complex biological solutions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves seeded growth, where smaller seed particles are used as a base for a second reaction to form larger particles, allowing for size control through adjustment of reaction conditions such as seed particle size and reactant amounts, resulting in high-yield metal oxide particles like iron oxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional particle preparation methods are used, then small particles (less than 10 nm) can be produced, but there is insufficient understanding and capability to prepare larger particles for biomolecule adsorption and isolation applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first preparing monodisperse seed particles with precise size control using established methods, then using these seeds as templates for subsequent growth. This preliminary preparation of controlled seeds enables the final larger particles to inherit the size uniformity and monodispersity of the seeds, solving the challenge of maintaining manufacturing precision at larger particle volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the particle formation process into two distinct stages: (1) preparation of monodisperse seed particles, and (2) seeded growth of these particles to larger sizes. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently - the seed stage for precision and the growth stage for achieving larger volumes - thereby resolving the contradiction between particle size and size control.
2Volume of moving object
If seeded growth method is used to produce larger particles, then particle size increases for biomolecule adsorption applications, but maintaining high monodispersity and yield becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control during the seeded growth process by carefully monitoring and adjusting reaction conditions (temperature, pH, reactant addition rates) to ensure uniform growth across all seed particles. This feedback mechanism prevents runaway growth or aggregation that would compromise monodispersity, allowing reliable production of larger particles with maintained size uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically adjusting reaction conditions during seeded growth - including temperature, pH, and reactant concentrations - to optimize the growth process. These controlled parameter changes enable the transformation from small seeds to larger particles while maintaining monodispersity, as the parameters are tuned to promote uniform growth rather than aggregation or size polydispersity.
3Productivity
If larger particles are prepared for biomolecule isolation applications, then pull-down efficiency can be optimized, but achieving high yield (gram scale) production with controlled size is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by preparing a large quantity of monodisperse seed particles first, which serve as templates for subsequent growth. This preliminary step at gram scale ensures that the starting material for growth is uniform and abundant, enabling both high final yield and maintained size control as the particles grow to larger, more application-relevant sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by implementing a continuous seeded growth process where particles grow uniformly over time under controlled conditions. This continuous growth process, rather than batch-wise or discontinuous methods, ensures that all particles experience the same growth conditions throughout, maintaining size uniformity while achieving high overall yield and productivity at gram scale.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables the production of larger particles with controlled size and high monodispersity, optimizing pull-down efficiency for magnetic particles, and facilitating the isolation of biomolecules from complex biological solutions.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the one or more reactants with the seed particles to provide the particles
Implementation Method 2
optimize pull down efficiency by magnetics, in the case of magnetic particles, to separate them from a supernatant
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are methods of preparing particles, such as nanoparticles, by preparing seed particles and reacting seed particles with one or more reactants to provide one or more particles which are larger in size than the seed particles. The methods provided herein may provide size and size distribution control of particles with enhanced size. Also provided herein are methods of preparing core-shell particles and providing polymer or macromolecule functionalities to said particles.