Work

A Novel Double-Diamond Microreactor Design for Enhanced Mixing and Nanomaterial Synthesis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study introduces the Double-Diamond Reactor (DDR), a novel planar passive microreactor designed to overcome conventional limitations: inefficient mass transfer, high flow resistance, and clogging. The DDR integrates splitting-turning-impinging (STI) hydrodynamic principles via CFD-guided optimization, generating chaotic advection to enhance mixing. Experimental evaluations using Villermaux-Dushman tests showed a segregation index (Xs) as low as 0.027 at 100 mL·min⁻¹, indicating near-perfect mixing. In BaSO₄ nanoparticle synthesis, the DDR achieved a 46% smaller average particle size (95 nm) and narrower distribution (σg=1.27) compared to reference designs (AFR-1), while maintaining low pressure drops (< 20 kPa at 60 mL·min⁻¹). The DDR’s superior performance stems from its hierarchical flow division and concave-induced vortices, which eliminate stagnant zones. This work demonstrates the DDR’s potential for high-throughput nanomaterial synthesis with precise control over particle characteristics, offering a scalable and energy-efficient solution for advanced chemical processes.

Source: Micromachines

DOI: 10.3390/mi16091058

Authors: Qian Peng, Guangzu Wang, Chao Sheng, Haonan Wang, Yao Fu, Shenghong Huang

Institutions: University of Science and Technology of China, CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials

Language: English

Topic: Innovative Microfluidic and Catalytic Techniques Innovation

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,534