Microfluidic Reactors for Polymer Particles

1 Applications of Polymer Particles.

References.

2 Methods for the Generation of Polymer Particles.

2.1 Conventional Methods Used for Producing Polymer Particles.

2.2 Microfluidic Generation of Polymer Particles.

References.

3 Introduction to Microfluidics.

3.1 Microfluidics.

3.2 Droplet Microfluidics.

References.

4 Physics of Microfluidic Emulsification.

4.1 Energy of the Interfaces Between Immiscible Fluids.

4.2 Surfactants.

4.3 Interfacial Tension.

4.4 Laplace Pressure.

4.5 Rayleigh–Plateau Instability.

4.6 Wetting of a Solid Surface.

4.7 Analysis of Flow.

4.8 Flow in Networks of Microchannels.

4.9 Dimensional Groups.

References.

5 Formation of Droplets in Microfluidic Systems.

5.1 Introduction.

5.2 Microfluidic Generators of Droplets and Bubbles.

5.3 T-Junction.

5.4 Formation of Droplets and Bubbles in Microfluidic Flow-Focusing Devices.

5.5 Practical Guidelines for the Use of Microfluidic Devices for Formation of Droplets.

5.6 Designing Droplets.

5.7 Conclusions.

References.

6 High-Throughput Microfluidic Systems for Formation of Droplets.

6.1 Introduction.

6.2 Effects that Modify the Pressure Distribution.

6.3 Hydrodynamic Coupling.

6.4 Integrated Systems.

6.5 Parallel Formation of Droplets of Distinct Properties.

6.6 Conclusions.

References.

7 Synthesis of Polymer Particles in Microfluidic Reactors.

7.1 Introduction.

7.2 Particles Synthesized by Free-Radical Polymerization.

7.3 Polymer Particles Synthesized by Polycondensation.

7.4 Combination of Free-Radical Polymerization and Polycondensation Reactions.

7.5 General Considerations on the Use of Other Polymerization Mechanisms.

7.6 Important Aspects of Microfluidic Polymerization of Polymer Particles.

7.7 Synthesis of Composite Particles.

References.

8 Microfluidic Production of Hydrogel Particles.

8.1 Introduction.

8.2 Methods Used for the Production of Polymer Microgels.

8.3 Microfluidic Synthesis and Assembly of Polymer Microgels.

8.4 Microfluidic Encapsulation of Bioactive Species in a Microgel Interior.

References.

9 Polymer Capsules.

9.1 Polymer Capsules with Dimensions in Micrometer Size Range.

9.2 Microfluidic Methods for the Generation of Polymer Capsules.

9.3 Emerging Applications of Polymer Capsules Produced by Microfluidic Methods.

References.

10 Microfluidic Synthesis of Polymer Particles with Non-Conventional Shapes.

10.1 Generation of Particles with Non-Spherical Shapes.

10.2 Synthesis of Janus and Triphasic Particles.

10.3 Other Particles with “Non-Conventional” Morphologies.

References.

Summary and Outlook.

Index.