E.K. Marecki, B. Davidson, P. Knight, K.W. Oh
SUNY University at Buffalo,
United States
Keywords: nanoparticle, encapsulation efficiency, 2D-hydrodynamic flow focused, emulsification-solvent evaporation, precipitation
Summary:
Increasing nanoparticle (NP) encapsulation efficiency (EE) remains an issue for bulk nanoparticle fabrication and so microfluidic methods have been proposed. Nanoparticle fabrication in microfluidic designs occurs by self-assembly when a water-miscible organic solvent and water are rapidly mixed as opposed to rapid mixing of a water-immiscible organic solvent and water. The microfluidic method offers increased EE as the working volume is smaller, there is higher experimental control, and more uniform mixing. A 2D-hydrodynamic flow focused (2DHFF) microfluidic design was made which made NPs of comparable size and charge and increased NP EE.