(600d) Precision H2 Delivery Via a Ceramic Membrane Contactor to Continuously Manufacture Ag Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles have attracted substantial interest because of their novel mechanical, electrical, optical, thermal, and magnetic properties. Silver nanoparticles, in particular, are interesting as an antimicrobial, and because their color is determined by their size and shape. The production of these particles would benefit from the development of a continuous process for fabricating nanoparticles as opposed to the current batch systems. In industry, continuous processes are more attractive than batch processes because they can produce a more consistent product, and have both lower operational costs and waste. This talk will focus on the continuous manufacture of nanoparticles using a ceramic membrane as a phase contactor to induce nucleation and growth of monodispersed particles. The nanoporous membrane allows for the precise delivery of a reducing agent to the reaction zone. The model reaction chosen for this system is the reduction of aqueous Ag₂O with H₂ to Ag⁺. A comparison between the particle size distribution produced by the conventional batch system and the continuous membrane system will be discussed.