Synthesis of nanosized BaSO4 particles with a membrane reactor: effects of operating parameters on particles

Nanosized BaSO4 particles were synthesized successfully by a membrane reactor, in which Na2SO4 solution permeated through the micropores of ultrafiltration (UF) membrane gradually into BaCl2 solution to control the saturation ratio, nucleation and growth rates. The effects of membrane molecular weight cut-off (MWCO), temperature, transmembrane pressure and reactant concentration on the particles morphology were investigated. The results reveal that the products tend from nanoparticles towards aggregates with the increase in membrane MWCO and reactant concentrations. Higher temperature favors the synthesis of regular particles. Transmembrane pressure does not show significant influences on the particles under the experimental conditions.