Governing principles of alginate microparticle synthesis with centrifugal forces

Journal article (2016)

Authors

H.B. Eral Universiteit Utrecht, Intensified Reaction and Separation Systems - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
E.R. Safai Intensified Reaction and Separation Systems - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bavand Keshavarz Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Jae Jung Kim Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Jisoek Lee Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
Patrick S. Doyle Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Research Group
Intensified Reaction and Separation Systems (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
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Published Date

2016

Language

English

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Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Process and Energy

Research Group

Intensified Reaction and Separation Systems

Abstract

A controlled synthesis of polymeric particles is becoming increasingly important because of emerging applications ranging from medical diagnostics to self-assembly. Centrifugal synthesis of hydrogel microparticles is a promising method, combining rapid particle synthesis and the ease of manufacturing with readily available laboratory equipment. This method utilizes centrifugal forces to extrude an aqueous polymer solution, sodium alginate (NaALG) through a nozzle. The extruded solution forms droplets that quickly cross-link upon contact with aqueous calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution to form hydrogel particles. The size distribution of hydrogel particles is dictated by the pinch-off behavior of the extruded solution through a balance of inertial, viscous, and surface tension stresses. We identify the parameters dictating the particle size and provide a numerical correlation predicting the average particle size. Furthermore, we create a phase map identifying different pinch-off regimes (dripping without satellites, dripping with satellites, and jetting), explaining the corresponding particle size distributions, and present scaling arguments predicting the transition between regimes. By shedding light on the underlying physics, this study enables the rational design and operation of particle synthesis by centrifugal forces.