摘要

Most microreactors can only work under high Re or extremely low Re conditions to obtain enough mixing efficiency, the inefficient reaction intensity undoubtedly limits its application scenarios. In this study, a novel 3D homogeneous microreactor (3D-HM) was reported that demonstrate a strong mixing intensity over a wide range of Re conditions. The 3D geometries of shunt and lateral secondary flow structure were optimized in details, and then were added to the Zigzag mixing channel to promote mixing index (MI) (over 94 % from Re = 0-10, and more than 98 % for Re > 10). Compared with the traditional T-shaped, Split and Recombine micromixer, a shorter mixing distance (L-mix) and mixing time (tau(mix)) were needed to realize fully mixing. The 3D-HM was used for the preparation of Zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8), the particle size, yield and drug loading capacity of ZIF-8 prepared using the 3D-HM under a milder Re conditions were better than those prepared by traditional and existing microfluidic methods under a harsh Re conditions. The promotion to diffusion mixing with 3D-HM channel was then verified using the enzymatic catalytic reaction driven by syringe pump at low Re and capillary pump, respectively. Enzyme and substrates in the laminar flow in the 3D-HM are more likely to bind each other than that in the T-shaped diffusion mixing. In addition, the laminar diffusion mixing process was scaled up by microfluidic channel design, so that the results of enzymic catalytic reaction was visualized for Point-of-care Testing (POCT) application. The MI, L-mix and tau(mix) directly determine the homogeneous microreaction intensity. The proposal of the 3D-HM may provide more possibilities for the application of micromixing-based reactors.

  • 单位
    南昌航空大学