Tailored nanoparticles

Nottingham University spin out company, Promethean Particles have developed a process to continuously produce wet nanoparticles.

The SWiNG (Supercritical Water in Nanomaterial Generation) process uses a new ‘nozzle’ reactor that ensures particles are created consistently at a specified size. This prevents blockages and the introduction of undesired by-products.

‘We use hydrothermal synthesis where you mix superheated aqueous streams, but mixing was a problem,’ said Dr Ed Lester, of the School of Chemical and Environmental and Mining Engineering. ‘Mixing is everything, it controls size and whether things are continuous. The big issue was how to make it continuous.

‘Our nozzle reactor gives symmetrical mixing which means there is no blocking or poor mixing so the process can work continuously.

Established with Lachesis funding, Promethean Particles expect their new technology to be adopted by companies requiring bespoke wet nanoparticles.

‘Nobody needs dry nanoparticles,’ continued Lester. ‘Everyone else makes powder products. As ours are produced in a liquid they are safer as there are no particles in the air and the production is greener as it is done in water. Also, the nanoparticles do not need to be redispersed before the customer can use them.