Prismatic applicator for continuous microwave-assisted synthesis of metallic nanoparticles

Metallic (Ag, Au, Cu) nanoparticles suspensions are gaining an increasing interest in medical applications. Among the existing synthetic routes available, microwave processing allows to better control particle size and to achieve high purity of the products. The large scale production of nanoparticles requires the development of industrially-viable processes, preferably conducted using a “green chemistry” approach, at ambient pressure and relatively low temperature. Based on a recently developed microwave-assisted process in aqueous solution, a new dedicated continuous-flow reactor, made of two twin prismatic applicators has been designed, optimized and tested. It can produce up to 1000 liters/day of metal nanoparticles colloidal suspension.