Work

Microfluidic Laser-Induced Nucleation of Iron (II,III) Oxide Nanoparticle-Doped Supersaturated Aqueous KCl Solutions

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide A capillary-based microfluidic system designed for nonphotochemical laser-induced nucleation (NPLIN) studies coupled with real-time microscopy was used to study NPLIN of iron (II,III) oxide doped aqueous KCl solutions. Supersaturation was achieved by lowering the solution temperature using thermoelectric cooling, and heating was used for the dissolution of crystals downstream to prevent clogging during the flow. The effect of nanoparticle concentration, supersaturation, laser intensity, and filtration was studied. We report laser-induced nucleation using laser intensities as low as 1 MW/cm 2 with nanoparticle number densities of ∼10 9 particles per mL of solution at KCl supersaturations from 1.06 to 1.08. The number of crystals increased with increasing laser intensity, supersaturation, and nanoparticle concentration. We discuss our results with respect to the colloidal impurity-heating mechanism hypothesis and propose a semiempirical model based on the nanoparticle heating and bubble formation due to the absorption of laser energy.

Source: Crystal Growth & Design

DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.4c00885

Authors: Kelechi F. Ndukwe-Ajala, Jasmin M. Sabirin, Bruce A. Garetz, Ryan L. Hartman

Institution: New York University

Language: English

Topic: Crystallization and Solubility Studies

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: National Science Foundation, Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems