Facile fabrication of uniform-sized, magnetic, and electroconductive hybrid microspheres using a microfluidic droplet generator

Monodispersed magnetic, and electroconductive agarose based microspheres having magnetism, 20–80μm in size, were successfully fabricated using a flow focusing microfluidic device. The multi-functionality of uniform-sized hybrid particle is promising for myriad applications including eco-friendly electronic and biomedical applications. [Display omitted] •Uniform-sized, functional PEDOT based microspheres were prepared by microfluidics.•Size control of microparticles are achieved by changing the continuous oil flow rate.•Sulphur/iron atoms in the microparticles revealed very uniform distribution.•Lower resistance of the hybrid microparticles enabled lighting a light-emitting diode.•Hybrid microparticles indicates good magnetic property toward an external magnet. Functional uniform-sized polymeric microspheres from Fe3O4-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)/polystyrene sulfonate (PSS)-agarose hybrid materials were fabricated using a microfluidic apparatus. Small sizes of microparticles, 20–80μm in size, are achieved by controlling the continuous oil flow rate (Qc) in the microfluidic device. The cross-sectional morphology demonstrate dense structure and observation of the sulphur/iron atoms in the microparticles revealed very uniform distribution. Lower resistance of the PEDOT/PSS-agarose hybrid microparticles (8.5×101–8×103Ω) enabled lighting a light-emitting diode (LED) from the assembled particles. In addition, uniform microparticles can be quickly dragged toward an external magnet indicating good magnetic property. The multi-funtionality of uniform-sized hybrid particle is promising for myriad applications including eco-friendly electronic and biomedical applications.