A process for synthesising silver nanoparticles

Abstract

An improved process for synthesising discrete high definition silver nanoparticles in large batch volumes. The method enables the reproducible production of silver nanoparticles having a predetermined size, shape and surface chemistry. The process comprises the steps of forming silver seeds from a reagent comprising, a silver source and a reducing agent; and growing the thus formed silver seeds into silver nanoparticles wherein the step forming silver seeds and/or growing the silver seeds into silver nanoparticles is performed using micro fluidic flow chemistry.

1 - 100 . (canceled) 
   
   
       101 . A process for synthesising silver nanoparticles comprising the steps of:
 (a.) forming silver seeds from a silver source solution and a reducing agent solution; and   (b.) growing the thus formed silver seeds into silver nanoparticles.   
     wherein at least step (b) is performed using pressurised microfluidic flow chemistry. 
   
   
       102 . The process as claimed in  claim 101  wherein the silver seeds are grown in step (b) by mixing a silver source salutation and a reducing agent solution. 
   
   
       103 . The process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the silver source solution comprises silver seeds. 
   
   
       104 . The process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the reducing agent solution comprises silver seeds. 
   
   
       105 . The A process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the silver source solution comprises a stabiliser. 
   
   
       106 . The process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the reducing agent solution comprises a stabiliser. 
   
   
       107 . The process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the solutions are pressurised to at least about 35 MPa. 
   
   
       108 . The process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the salutations are pressurised in the range of about 35 MPa to about 275 MPa. 
   
   
       109 . The process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the solutions are pressurised at about 140 MPa. 
   
   
       110 . The process as claimed in  claim 107  wherein the solutions have a shear rate of at least about 1×10 6  s −1 . 
   
   
       111 . The process as claimed in  claim 107  wherein the solutions have shear rates in the range of about 1×10 6  s −1  to about 50×10 6  s −1 . 
   
   
       112 . The process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the solutions have a flow rate of at least about 10 ml/min. 
   
   
       113 . The process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the solutions have a flow rate of at least about 100 ml/min. 
   
   
       114 . The process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the solutions have a flow rate of at least about 11/min. 
   
   
       115 . The process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the solutions have a flow rate of at least about 101/min. 
   
   
       116 . The process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the solutions are introduced separately. 
   
   
       117 . The process as claimed in  claim 116  wherein each solution has a different flow rate. 
   
   
       118 . The process as claimed in  claim 116  wherein each solution has the same flow rate. 
   
   
       119 . The process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the solutions are added at different concentrations. 
   
   
       120 . The process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the residence time of the solutions in a mixing chamber of a microfluidic system is less than about 1 ms. 
   
   
       121 . The process as claimed in  claim 102  wherein the residence time of the solutions in a mixing chamber of a microfluidic system is between about 2 μs and about 1 ms. 
   
   
       122 . The process as claimed in  claim 101  wherein step (a) is performed using microfluidic flow chemistry. 
   
   
       123 . The process as claimed in  claim 122  wherein step (a) is performed using pressurised microfluidic flow chemistry. 
   
   
       124 . The process as claimed in  claim 123  wherein the solutions are pressurised to at least about 35 MPa. 
   
   
       125 . A process for synthesising silver nanoparticles comprising the steps of:
 (a.) mixing a silver source solution and a reducing agent solution to form silver seeds; and   (b.) growing the thus formed silver seeds into silver nanoparticles   
     wherein step (a) or (b) is performed using microfluidic flow chemistry and wherein step (a) or (b) is performed in the presence of a water soluble polymer.