Robust and versatile bolt-nut microreactors designed for controlled synthesis of quantum dots

Abstract

Microreactors play a pivotal role in the ongoing advancement of nanoparticle synthesis, enhancing control over reaction conditions, facilitating superior regulation of nucleation and growth processes, and fostering efficient heat and mass transfer. However, traditional microreactor fabrication methods often involve complex and expensive processes, potentially limiting their broader application. To address this, we introduce a novel Bolt-nut microreactor, designed to circumvent the intricacies of conventional fabrication while maintaining cost effectiveness and offering wide application possibilities. These stainless steel microreactors allow for adjustable reactor volume and easy cleaning, lending themselves to scalability and broad usability. Applied to the continuous synthesis of CuInS2/ZnS core@shell quantum dots (QDs), our microreactors achieve a narrower size distribution of QDs and enhanced light output or quantum yield (QY) through segmented shell coating processes. The Bolt-nut microreactors thus emerge as a practical and promising alternative for various microfluidic reactions, bypassing the need for traditionally complex and costly fabrication techniques and highlighting the potential for transformative progress in the field.