Voltage-driven microfluidic synthesis of magnetite and gold nanomaterials

A low-cost facile synthesis of electronic nanomaterials such as magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ), and gold (Au) using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a reducing and stabilizing agent in a 3D-printed droplet-based microfluidic device has been demonstrated. The nanomaterial synthesis in terms of obtaining uniformity in size and shape or enhanced magnetism was controlled by applying voltage across the metal electrodes placed just beneath the reagent mixing chamber of the device. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization showed that application of different alternating current (AC) voltages resulted in different size nanoplate and spherical-shaped Fe 3 O 4 and Au electronic nanomaterials, respectively. A simulation study on accessing the velocity profile of particles within the droplets and transmission probability in AC electric field at different voltages is also demonstrated.