1
|
Agha A, Waheed W, Stiharu I, Nerguizian V, Destgeer G, Abu-Nada E, Alazzam A. A review on microfluidic-assisted nanoparticle synthesis, and their applications using multiscale simulation methods. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2023; 18:18. [PMID: 36800044 PMCID: PMC9936499 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-023-03792-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed an increased interest in the development of nanoparticles (NPs) owing to their potential use in a wide variety of biomedical applications, including drug delivery, imaging agents, gene therapy, and vaccines, where recently, lipid nanoparticle mRNA-based vaccines were developed to prevent SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19. NPs typically fall into two broad categories: organic and inorganic. Organic NPs mainly include lipid-based and polymer-based nanoparticles, such as liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymersomes, dendrimers, and polymer micelles. Gold and silver NPs, iron oxide NPs, quantum dots, and carbon and silica-based nanomaterials make up the bulk of the inorganic NPs. These NPs are prepared using a variety of top-down and bottom-up approaches. Microfluidics provide an attractive synthesis alternative and is advantageous compared to the conventional bulk methods. The microfluidic mixing-based production methods offer better control in achieving the desired size, morphology, shape, size distribution, and surface properties of the synthesized NPs. The technology also exhibits excellent process repeatability, fast handling, less sample usage, and yields greater encapsulation efficiencies. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the microfluidic-based passive and active mixing techniques for NP synthesis, and their latest developments. Additionally, a summary of microfluidic devices used for NP production is presented. Nonetheless, despite significant advancements in the experimental procedures, complete details of a nanoparticle-based system cannot be deduced from the experiments alone, and thus, multiscale computer simulations are utilized to perform systematic investigations. The work also details the most common multiscale simulation methods and their advancements in unveiling critical mechanisms involved in nanoparticle synthesis and the interaction of nanoparticles with other entities, especially in biomedical and therapeutic systems. Finally, an analysis is provided on the challenges in microfluidics related to nanoparticle synthesis and applications, and the future perspectives, such as large-scale NP synthesis, and hybrid formulations and devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahman Agha
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Waqas Waheed
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- System on Chip Center, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | | | | | - Ghulam Destgeer
- Department of Electrical Engineering, School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eiyad Abu-Nada
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Anas Alazzam
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
- System on Chip Center, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Völkl A, Klupp Taylor RN. Investigation and mitigation of reagent ageing during the continuous flow synthesis of patchy particles. Chem Eng Res Des 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2022.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
3
|
Vermes T, Kielpinski M, Henkel T, Pericàs MA, Alza E, Corcuera A, Buschmann H, Goldner T, Urban A. An automated microfluidic platform for the screening and characterization of novel hepatitis B virus capsid assembly modulators. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2022; 14:135-146. [PMID: 34918017 DOI: 10.1039/d1ay01227d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To date, hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly modulators (CAMs), which target the viral core protein and induce the formation of non-functional viral capsids, have been identified and characterized in microtiter plate-based biochemical or cell-based in vitro assays. In this work, we developed an automated microfluidic screening assay, which uses convection-dominated Taylor-Aris dispersion to generate high-resolution dose-response curves, enabling the measurements of compound EC50 values at very short incubation times. The measurement of early kinetics down to 7.7 seconds in the microfluidic format was utilized to discriminate between the two different classes of CAMs known so far. The CAM (-N), leading to the formation of morphologically normal capsids and the CAM (-A), leading to aberrant HBV capsid structures. CAM-A compounds like BAY 41-4109 and GLS4 showed rapid kinetics, with assembly rates above 80% of the core protein after only a 7 second exposure to the compound, whereas CAM-N compounds like ABI-H0731 and JNJ-56136379 showed significantly slower kinetics. Using our microfluidic system, we characterized two of our in-house screening compounds. Interestingly, one compound showed a CAM-N/A intermediate behavior, which was verified with two standard methods for CAM classification, size exclusion chromatography, and anti-HBc immunofluorescence microscopy. With this proof-of-concept study, we believe that this microfluidic system is a robust primary screening tool for HBV CAM drug discovery, especially for the hit finding and hit-to-lead optimization phases. In addition to EC50 values, this system gives valuable first information about the mode of action of novel CAM screening compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Vermes
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Av. Països Catalans 16, 43007, Tarragona, Spain
- AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 475, 42117, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Mark Kielpinski
- Leibniz-Institut für Photonische Technologien e.V. Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Henkel
- Leibniz-Institut für Photonische Technologien e.V. Albert-Einstein-Str. 9, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Miquel A Pericàs
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Av. Països Catalans 16, 43007, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Esther Alza
- Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Av. Països Catalans 16, 43007, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Angelica Corcuera
- AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 475, 42117, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Helmut Buschmann
- AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 475, 42117, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Thomas Goldner
- AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 475, 42117, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Andreas Urban
- AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 475, 42117, Wuppertal, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Shape-Dependent Catalytic Activity of Gold and Bimetallic Nanoparticles in the Reduction of Methylene Blue by Sodium Borohydride. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11121442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study the catalytic activity of different gold and bimetallic nanoparticle solutions towards the reduction of methylene blue by sodium borohydride as a model reaction is investigated. By utilizing differently shaped gold nanoparticles, i.e., spheres, cubes, prisms and rods as well as bimetallic gold–palladium and gold–platinum core-shell nanorods, we evaluate the effect of the catalyst surface area as available gold surface area, the shape of the nanoparticles and the impact of added secondary metals in case of bimetallic nanorods. We track the reaction by UV/Vis measurements in the range of 190–850 nm every 60 s. It is assumed that the gold nanoparticles do not only act as a unit transferring electrons from sodium borohydride towards methylene blue but can promote the electron transfer upon plasmonic excitation. By testing different particle shapes, we could indeed demonstrate an effect of the particle shape by excluding the impact of surface area and/or surface ligands. All nanoparticle solutions showed a higher methylene blue turnover than their reference, whereby gold nanoprisms exhibited 100% turnover as no further methylene blue absorption peak was detected. The reaction rate constant k was also determined and revealed overall quicker reactions when gold or bimetallic nanoparticles were added as a catalyst, and again these were highest for nanoprisms. Furthermore, when comparing gold and bimetallic nanorods, it could be shown that through the addition of the catalytically active second metal platinum or palladium, the dye turnover was accelerated and degradation rate constants were higher compared to those of pure gold nanorods. The results explore the catalytic activity of nanoparticles, and assist in exploring further catalytic applications.
Collapse
|
5
|
Time Optimization of Seed-Mediated Gold Nanotriangle Synthesis Based on Kinetic Studies. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11041049. [PMID: 33923968 PMCID: PMC8073722 DOI: 10.3390/nano11041049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis of shape-anisotropic plasmonic nanoparticles such as gold nanotriangles is of increasing interest. These particles have a high potential for applications due to their notable optical properties. A key challenge of the synthesis is usually the low reproducibility. Even the optimized seed-based methods often lack in the synthesis yield or are labor- and time-consuming. In this work, a seed-mediated synthesis with high reproducibility is replicated in order to determine the necessary reaction time for each step. Online monitoring of the reaction mixtures by UV–VIS spectroscopy is used as a powerful tool to track the evolution of the synthesis. The kinetics of the individual stages is elucidated by real-time investigations. As a consequence, the complete synthesis could be optimized and can now be realized in a single day instead of three without any loss in the resulting sample quality.
Collapse
|
6
|
Lu H, Tang SY, Yun G, Li H, Zhang Y, Qiao R, Li W. Modular and Integrated Systems for Nanoparticle and Microparticle Synthesis-A Review. BIOSENSORS 2020; 10:E165. [PMID: 33153122 PMCID: PMC7693962 DOI: 10.3390/bios10110165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) and microparticles (MPs) have been widely used in different areas of research such as materials science, energy, and biotechnology. On-demand synthesis of NPs and MPs with desired chemical and physical properties is essential for different applications. However, most of the conventional methods for producing NPs/MPs require bulky and expensive equipment, which occupies large space and generally need complex operation with dedicated expertise and labour. These limitations hinder inexperienced researchers to harness the advantages of NPs and MPs in their fields of research. When problems individual researchers accumulate, the overall interdisciplinary innovations for unleashing a wider range of directions are undermined. In recent years, modular and integrated systems are developed for resolving the ongoing dilemma. In this review, we focus on the development of modular and integrated systems that assist the production of NPs and MPs. We categorise these systems into two major groups: systems for the synthesis of (1) NPs and (2) MPs; systems for producing NPs are further divided into two sections based on top-down and bottom-up approaches. The mechanisms of each synthesis method are explained, and the properties of produced NPs/MPs are compared. Finally, we discuss existing challenges and outline the potentials for the development of modular and integrated systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongda Lu
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (H.L.); (G.Y.)
| | - Shi-Yang Tang
- Department of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - Guolin Yun
- School of Mechanical, Materials, Mechatronic and Biomedical Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; (H.L.); (G.Y.)
| | - Haiyue Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA;
| | - Yuxin Zhang
- Department of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - Ruirui Qiao
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Weihua Li
- Department of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Shen J, Shafiq M, Ma M, Chen H. Synthesis and Surface Engineering of Inorganic Nanomaterials Based on Microfluidic Technology. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E1177. [PMID: 32560284 PMCID: PMC7353232 DOI: 10.3390/nano10061177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The controlled synthesis and surface engineering of inorganic nanomaterials hold great promise for the design of functional nanoparticles for a variety of applications, such as drug delivery, bioimaging, biosensing, and catalysis. However, owing to the inadequate and unstable mass/heat transfer, conventional bulk synthesis methods often result in the poor uniformity of nanoparticles, in terms of microstructure, morphology, and physicochemical properties. Microfluidic technologies with advantageous features, such as precise fluid control and rapid microscale mixing, have gathered the widespread attention of the research community for the fabrication and engineering of nanomaterials, which effectively overcome the aforementioned shortcomings of conventional bench methods. This review summarizes the latest research progress in the microfluidic fabrication of different types of inorganic nanomaterials, including silica, metal, metal oxides, metal organic frameworks, and quantum dots. In addition, the surface modification strategies of nonporous and porous inorganic nanoparticles based on microfluidic method are also introduced. We also provide the readers with an insight on the red blocks and prospects of microfluidic approaches, for designing the next generation of inorganic nanomaterials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Shen
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructures, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; (J.S.); (H.C.)
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Muhammad Shafiq
- Department of Chemistry, Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad 45650, Pakistan;
| | - Ming Ma
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructures, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; (J.S.); (H.C.)
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hangrong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructures, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China; (J.S.); (H.C.)
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bioanalytical sensing based on the principle of localized surface plasmon resonance experiences is currently an extremely rapid development. Novel sensors with new kinds of plasmonic transducers and innovative concepts for the signal development as well as read-out principles were identified. This review will give an overview of the development of this field. Areas covered: The focus is primarily on types of transducers by preparation or dimension, factors for optimal sensing concepts and the critical view of the usability of these devices as innovative sensors for bioanalytical applications. Expert commentary: Plasmonic sensor devices offer a high potential for future biosensing given that limiting factors such as long-time stability of the transducers, the required high sensitivity and the cost-efficient production are addressed. For higher sensitivity, the design of the sensor in shape and material has to be combined with optimal enhancement strategies. Plasmonic nanoparticles from bottom-up synthesis with a post-synthetic processing show a high potential for cost-efficient sensor production. Regarding the measurement principle, LSPRi offers a large potential for multiplex sensors and can provide a high-throughput as well as highly paralleled sensing. The main trends are expected towards optimal LSPR concepts which represent cost-efficient and robust point-of-care solutions, and the use of multiplexed devices for clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Csáki
- a Department Nanobiophotonics , Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) , Jena , Germany
| | - Ondrej Stranik
- a Department Nanobiophotonics , Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) , Jena , Germany
| | - Wolfgang Fritzsche
- a Department Nanobiophotonics , Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) , Jena , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Thiele M, Knauer A, Malsch D, Csáki A, Henkel T, Köhler JM, Fritzsche W. Combination of microfluidic high-throughput production and parameter screening for efficient shaping of gold nanocubes using Dean-flow mixing. LAB ON A CHIP 2017; 17:1487-1495. [PMID: 28327746 DOI: 10.1039/c7lc00109f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Metal nanoparticles and their special optical properties, the so-called localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), facilitate many applications in various fields. Due to the strong dependency of the LSPR on particle geometry, their synthesis is a challenging and time-consuming procedure especially for non-spherical shapes. In contrast, micromixers offer new experimental approaches and therefore enable the simplification of several processes. By using a zigzag micromixer (Dean-Flow-Mixer, DFM) that induces Dean-flow secondary flow patterns, we theoretically and experimentally show the mixing efficiency. Thus, we highlight the advantages of using it in the multistep synthesis of Au nanoparticles. Based on a narrow size distribution of Au nanocubes and an increased yield in combination with higher reproducibility, we depict the need for and advantage of the DFM to control the incubation times during the growth process. We further show that, by using the DFM, easy and very fast Au nanocube edge length tuning (53 nm, 58 nm, 70 nm and 75 nm) is possible by simultaneously reducing the consumption of the materials by up to 95%. We finally demonstrate the versatile abilities by using the DFM for parameter screening on examples of different halides and accessible bromide in the growth solutions. Therefore, we highlight the optimal concentration for the different growth regimes and the influences on the Au nanoparticle morphology (spheres, cubes and rods) and their defined shaping.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Thiele
- Dept. of Nano Biophotonics, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT), Albert-Einstein-Straße 9, 07745 Jena, Germany. andrea.csaki(at)ipht-jena.de
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wong WK, Yap SK, Lim YC, Khan SA, Pelletier F, Corbos EC. Robust, non-fouling liters-per-day flow synthesis of ultra-small catalytically active metal nanoparticles in a single-channel reactor. REACT CHEM ENG 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7re00072c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Robust, non-fouling, litres-per-day continuous synthesis of catalytically active palladium nanoparticles using triphasic segmented flow in a hybrid milli-meso flow reactor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wai Kuan Wong
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- National University of Singapore
- Singapore 117585
- Singapore
| | - Swee Kun Yap
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- National University of Singapore
- Singapore 117585
- Singapore
| | - Yi Chen Lim
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- National University of Singapore
- Singapore 117585
- Singapore
| | - Saif A. Khan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- National University of Singapore
- Singapore 117585
- Singapore
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
|