Microfluidic synthesis of monodisperse Cu nanoparticles in aqueous solution.

The continuous production of Cu nanoparticles with a particle size of 2-5 nm was conducted by sodium borohydride reduction of copper sulfate in aqueous solution in a tube-in-tube microchannel reactor (TMR), which consists of an inner tube and an outer tube with the reaction performed in the annular microchannel between these two tubes. The as-prepared Cu nanoparticles were compared with those obtained by a conventional batch synthesis process by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV-vis spectroscopy. Due to the highly intensified micromixing effects in the TMR, Cu nanoparticles prepared by this route exhibits a smaller particle size, narrower size distribution and better stability in air. The TMR shows an excellent ability of preparing high-quality Cu nanoparticles in mild conditions. In addition, with the unique microchannel structure, the throughput capability of the TMR for the production of Cu nanoparticles is up to several liters per minute.