Continuous synthesis of ceria nanoparticles using a micromixer

This paper focuses on continuous synthesis of ceria nanoparticles with the aid of a 500 μm diameter microchannel mixer. Sodium acetate used in the reaction performs two functions where it acts as a surfactant as well as an agent to functionalize the surface of the ceria nanoparticles. Well-dispersed, nearly-rounded particles were synthesized under varying flow rates. It was observed that flow rate affected the diffusional transfer of the reactants and influenced the ceria nanoparticle shape. Lower flow rates tended to yield nanospheres while higher flow rates tended to yield mixture of spherical nanoparticles and nanorods. The results were conferred by transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy and wave dispersive spectroscopy. Ceria, microchannel, surfactant, spectroscopy.