Introduction

The patent refers to a process for the synthesis of nanoparticles from precursors dispersed in liquids, aerosolized in different gaseous streams and further undergoing a chemical reaction by droplet coalescence carried out by hydrodynamic mixing, in the absence of electric fields, mechanical devices or thermal gradients.

Technical features

The patent relies upon a spontaneous chemical reaction between a reagent A, dissolved in a liquid nebulized in a gaseous stream (a), and a reagent B, dissolved in a liquid nebulized in another gaseous stream (b). Both phases are mixed in a reactor, where the coalescence between droplets coming from different phases leads to the formation of nanoparticles of a product C resulting from the chemical reaction A+B®C. The aerosolized stream leaving the reactor enters a spray cyclone scrubber where the nanoparticles of  C are finally collected in a liquid.  The process has been tested for the synthesis of magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles at room temperature. The apparatus can be used for any spontaneous chemical reaction between reagents contained in aerosol phases, according to the relevant thermodynamic and kinetic constraints.

Possible Applications

• Engineering: catalysts, sensors, nanofluids, photoluminescent materials;
• Medicine: nanoparticles for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes;
• Pharmacology: nanodispersions as drug carriers;
• Environmental safeguard: decontamination of fluids.

Advantages

• Energy saving: the process is carried out at room temperature;
• Product quality: no undesired compounds in the final product;
• Safety: low risk for workers;
• Green technology: the synthesis can be conducted in a closed circuit.