Synthesis 2: The technique of microfluidic synthesis

Why microfluidic synthesis for hydrogels?

• Form regular spherical particles to maintain internal voids in the packed hydrogel
• Control sizes to reduce liquid diffusion path resulting in a faster swelling and deswelling

The system utilizes a self-made flow-focusing glass capillary microfluidic device. During the operation water phase containing reaction solution and oil phase are pumped into the capillaries and droplets of the water phase are formed at the intersection by the flow focusing of the oil phase.The flow rates of the oil and water phases and diameters of the capillaries determine the sizes of resulting particles. On the right you can see an example with an average diameter of 233 µm. On the bottom, you can take a look at the schematic experimental construction.