Queensland Micro- and Nanotechnology Centre, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia.
University of Moratuwa, Katubedda 10400, Sri Lanka.
Lab Chip. 2023 Mar 1;23(5):982-1010. doi: 10.1039/d2lc00793b.
Manipulation and separation of submicron and nanoparticles are indispensable in many chemical, biological, medical, and environmental applications. Conventional technologies such as ultracentrifugation, ultrafiltration, size exclusion chromatography, precipitation and immunoaffinity capture are limited by high cost, low resolution, low purity or the risk of damage to biological particles. Microfluidics can accurately control fluid flow in channels with dimensions of tens of micrometres. Rapid microfluidics advancement has enabled precise sorting and isolating of nanoparticles with better resolution and efficiency than conventional technologies. This paper comprehensively studies the latest progress in microfluidic technology for submicron and nanoparticle manipulation. We first summarise the principles of the traditional techniques for manipulating nanoparticles. Following the classification of microfluidic techniques as active, passive, and hybrid approaches, we elaborate on the physics, device design, working mechanism and applications of each technique. We also compare the merits and demerits of different microfluidic techniques and benchmark them with conventional technologies. Concurrently, we summarise seven standard post-separation detection techniques for nanoparticles. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future perspectives on microfluidic technology for nanoparticle manipulation and separation.
在许多化学、生物、医学和环境应用中，对亚微米和纳米粒子的操纵和分离是必不可少的。传统技术，如超速离心、超滤、尺寸排阻色谱、沉淀和免疫亲和捕获，受到成本高、分辨率低、纯度低或生物颗粒损伤风险的限制。微流控技术可以在几十微米尺寸的通道中精确控制流体流动。快速微流控技术的发展使得纳米粒子的精确分选和分离成为可能，其分辨率和效率都优于传统技术。本文全面研究了亚微米和纳米粒子操纵的微流控最新进展。我们首先总结了传统纳米粒子操纵技术的原理。然后，按照主动、被动和混合方法对微流控技术进行分类，详细阐述了每种技术的物理、器件设计、工作机制和应用。我们还比较了不同微流控技术的优缺点，并与传统技术进行了基准比较。同时，我们总结了七种用于纳米粒子分离后的标准检测技术。最后，我们讨论了微流控技术在纳米粒子操纵和分离方面的当前挑战和未来展望。
