Screening of nanoparticle properties in microfluidic syntheses

The possible diversity of nanoparticles is extremely high. This variability corresponds to a huge potential of possible functions in future materials and nanotechnical devices. Apart from rational designs, there is an urgent need for screening strategies for specific nanoparticle properties. Miniaturized screening techniques are challenged for efficient screening procedures. The review gives an overview on the possibilities of tuning and screening of nanoparticle properties and focuses on the application of microfluidic techniques for nanoparticle synthesis. Furthermore, the variation of parameters during the generation of nanoparticles and its connection with the resulting nanoparticle properties are highlighted as well. Among other microfluidic techniques, microsegmented flow is particularly promising for the synthesis of different types of homogeneous nanoparticles and offers interesting approaches for the screening of process parameters and nanoparticle properties. The tuning of reactant concentrations in the micro-flow-through synthesis of nonspherical silver particles and gold/silver core/shell particles and their effects on the shape, size, and optical parameters of the formed nanoparticles are given as examples for the application of microsegmented flow in the screening of nanoparticle properties.