Abstract
Nanotechnology is already having a significant commercial impact, and will very certainly have a much greater impact in the future. The research on process engineering and scale-up will be very important for the commercial production and application of nanomaterials, because the properties and structure of nanomaterials are not only determined by the nucleation and growth process, but also strongly affected by the engineering properties, such as the mixing, the heat and mass transfer, and also the distribution of temperature, concentration, etc. This paper will present some research work in our laboratory on the fabrication of nanomaterials. Based on the chemical engineering principle and methods, many kinds of novel nanomaterials can be synthesized and their structure can be easily controlled through adjusting the parameters of the fluid mixing, and the distribution of temperature, residence time and concentration, etc. By using the micro-mixing, heat and mass transfer and reaction control methods, the host-guest nanocomposites have been assembled and assumed as the novel electroanalytical sensing nanobiocomposite materials. Based on the principles of chemical engineering, the manufacturing technologies for magnetic powders, calcium carbonate, and titanium dioxide have been developed for commercial-scale production, and the largest production scale has reached 15 kt/year.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Charpentier J C. The triplet “molecular processes-product-process” engineering: the future of chemical engineering? Chem Eng Sci, 2002, 57: 4667–4690
Shi L Y, Li C Z, Chen A P, Zhu Y H, Fang D Y. Morphological structure of nanometer TiO2-Al2O3 composite powders synthesized in high temperature gas phase reactor. Chem Eng J, 2001, 84: 405–411
Shi L Y, Li C Z, Chen A P, Zhu Y H, Fang D Y. Morphology and structure of nanosized TiO2 particles synthesized by gas-phase reaction. Mater Chem Phys, 2000, 66: 51–57
Li C Z, Han J Y, Zhang Z T, Gu H C. Preparation of TiO2 coated Al2O3 particles by chemical vapor deposition in the rotary reactor. J Am Ceram Soc, 1999, 82: 2044–2048
Li C Z, Hu L M, Yuan W K, Chen M H. Study on the mechanism of aluminum nitride synthesis by chemical vapor deposition. Mater Chem Phys, 1997, 47: 273–278
Liu B H, Gu H C, Cheng Q L. Preparation of nanosized Mo powder by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition method. Mater Chem Phys, 1999, 59: 204–209
Zhu Y H, Zhu H J, Han J Y, Hu L M. Electric properties of Ag/Si3N4 nanostructured composites, J Inorg Mater, 1996, 11: 348–352
Zhao B, Liu Z, Zhang Z. Improvement of oxidation resistance of ultrafine copper powders by phosphating treatment. J Solid State Chem, 1997, 130: 157–160
Zhao Y, Li C Z, Liu X H, Gu F, Jiang H B. Synthesis and optical properties of TiO2 nanoparticles by gas flame combustion. Mater Lett, 2007, 61: 79–83
Zhao Y, Li C Z, Liu X H, Gu F. Highly enhanced degradation of dye with well-dispersed TiO2 nanoparticles under visible irradiation. J Alloy Compd, 2007, 440: 281–286
Zhao Y, Li C Z, Liu X H, Gu F, Du H L. Surface characteristics and microstructure of dispersed TiO2 nanoparticles prepared by diffusion flame combustion. Mater Chem Phys, 2008, 107: 344–349
Zhao Y, Li C Z, Gu F. Zn-doped TiO2 Nanoparticles with high photocatalysis activity synthesised by hydrogen-oxygen diffusion flames. Appl Catal B, 2008, 79: 208–215
Zhou Q L, Li C Z, Gu F. Self-organized NiO architectures: synthesis and catalytic properties for growth of carbon nanotubes. J Alloy Compd, 2009, 474: 358–363
Zhou Q L, Li C Z, Gu F, Du H L. Flame synthesis of carbon nanotubes with high density on stainless steel mesh. J Alloy Compd, 2008, 463: 317–322
Wang L J, Li C Z, Gu F, Zhang C X. Facile flame synthesis and electrochemical properties of carbon nanocoils. J Alloy Compd, 2009, 473: 351–355
Liu J, Hu Y J, Gu F, Li C Z. Flame synthesis of ball-in-shell-structured TiO2 nanospheres. Ind Eng Chem Res, 2009, 48: 735–739
Hu Y J, Li C Z, Gu F, Ma J. Preparation and formation mechanism of alumina hollow nanostructures via high speed jet flame combustion. Ind Eng Chem Res, 2007, 46: 8004–8008
Hu Y J, Li C Z, Gu F, Zhao Y. Facile flame synthesis and photoluminescent properties of core-shell TiO2-SiO2 nanoparticles. J Alloy Compd, 2007, 432: L5–L9
Hu Y J, Li C Z, Gu F, Jiang H B, Zhao Y. Mechanism analysis and preparation of core-shell TiO2/SiO2 nanoparticles by H2/air flame combustions. J Inorg Mater, 2006, 22: 2253–2257
Gu F, Li C Z, Wang S F, Lu M K. Solution-phase synthesis of spherical zinc sulfide nanostructures. Langmuir, 2006, 22: 1329–1332
Gu F, Li C Z, Wang S F. Solution-chemical synthesis of carbon nanotube/ZnS nanoparticle core/shell heterostructures. Inorg Chem, 2007, 46: 5343–5348
Wang S F, Feng Gu, Li C Z, Lu M K. Synthesis of mesoporous Eu2O3 spindles. Cryst Growth & Des, 2007, 7: 2670–2674
Chen J T, Gu F, Li C Z. Influence of precalcination and borondoping on the initial photoluminescent properties of SrAl2O4:Eu,Dy phosphors. Cryst Growth & Des, 2008, 8: 3175–3179
Jiang H, Hu J Q, Gu F, Li C Z. Large-scaled, uniform, monodispersed ZnO colloidal microspheres. J Phys Chem C, 2008, 112: 12138–12141
Gu F, Wang S F, Cao H M, Li C Z. Synthesis and optical properties of SnO2 nanorods. Nanotechnology, 2008, 19: 095708
Hu J Q, Bando Y, Zhan J H, Li C Z, Golberg D. Mg3N2-Ga: nanoscale semiconductor-liquid metal heterojunctions inside carbon nanotubes. Adv Mater, 2007, 19: 1342–1346
Zhu Y H, Cao H M, Tang L H, Yang X L, Li C Z. Immobilization of horseradish peroxidase in three-dimensional macroporous TiO2 matrices for biosensor applications. Electrochim Acta, 2009, 54: 2823–2827
Li Y X, Zhu Y H, Li C Y, Yang X L, Li C Z. Synthesis of ZnS nanoparticles into the pore of mesoporous silica spheres. Mater Lett, 2009, 63: 1068–1070
Wang P, Zhu Y H, Yang X L, Li C Z, Du H L. Synthesis of CdSe nanoparticles into the pores of mesoporous silica microspheres. Acta Mater, 2008, 56: 1144–1150
Li Y X, Zhu Y H, Yang X L, Li C Z. Mesoporous silica spheres as microreactors for performing CdS nanocrystal synthesis. Cryst Growth Des, 2008, 8: 4494–4498
Cao H M, Zhu Y H, Tang L H, Yang X L, Li C Z. A glucose biosensor based on immobilization of glucose oxidase into 3D macroporous TiO2. Electroanalysis, 2008, 20: 2223–2228
Guo F, Zhu Y H, Yang X L, Li C Z. Electrostatic layer-by-layer selfassembly of PAMAM-CdS nanocomposites on MF microspheres. Mater Chem Phys, 2007, 105: 315–319
Wang P, Zhu Y H, Yang X L, Li C Z. Electrochemical synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles within mesoporous silica microspheres. Colloid Surf A, 2007, 294: 287–291
Cheng Q L, Pavlinek V, Lengalova A, Li C Z, He Y, Saha P. Conducting polypyrrole confined in ordered mesoporous silica SBA-15 channels: preparation and its electrorheology. Micropor Mesopor Mater, 2006, 93: 263–269
Cheng Q L, Pavlinek V, Lengalova A, Li C Z, He Y, Saha P. Electrorheological properties of new mesoporous material with conducting polypyrrole in mesoporous silica. Micropor Mesopor Mater, 2006, 94: 193–199
Cheng Q L, Pavlinek V, Li C Z, Lengalova A, He Y, Saha P. Synthesis and characterization of new mesoporous materials with conducting polypyrrole confined in mesoporous silica. Mater Chem Phys, 2006, 98: 504–508
Cheng Q L, Pavlinek V, He Y, Lengalova A, Li C Z, Saha P. Surfactant-assisted polypyrrole/titanate composite nanofibers: morphology, structure and electrical properties. Synthetic Met, 2008, 158: 953–957
Xu L H, Zhu Y H, Yang X L, Li C Z. Amperometric biosensor based on carbon nanotubes coated with polyaniline/dendrimer-encapsulated Pt nanoparticles for glucose detection. Mater Sci Eng: C, 2009, 29: 1306–1310
Tang L H, Zhu Y H, Yang X L, Sun J J, Li C Z. Self-assembled CNTs/SgSe/dehydrogenase hybrid-based amperometric biosensor triggered by photovoltaic effects. Biosens Bioelectron, 2008, 24: 319–323
Tang L H, Zhu Y H, Yang X L, Li C Z. An enhanced biosensor for glutamate based on self-assembled carbon nanotubes and dendrimer-encapsulated platinum nanobiocomposites-doped polypyrrole film. Anal Chim Acta, 2007, 597: 145–150
Tang L H, Zhu Y H, Xu L H, Yang X L, Li C Z. Amperometric glutamate biosensor based on self-assembling glutamate dehydrogenase and dendrimer-encapsulated platinum nanoparticles onto carbon nanotubes. Talanta, 2007, 73: 438–443
Xu L H, Zhu Y H, Tang L H, Yang X L, Li C Z. Biosensor based on self-assembling glucose oxidase and dendrimer-encapsulated pt nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes for glucose detection. Electroanalysis, 2007, 19: 717–722
Tang L H, Zhu Y H, Xu L H, Yang X L, Li C Z. Properties of dendrimer-encapsulated Pt nanoparticles doped polypyrrole composite films and their electrocatalytic activity for glucose oxidation. Electroanalysis, 2007, 19: 1677–1682
Zhu Y H, Zhu H Y, Yang X L, Xu L H, Li C Z. Sensitive biosensors based on (dendrimer encapsulated pt nanoparticles)/enzyme multilayers. Electroanalysis, 2007, 19: 698–703
Zhu H Y, Zhu Y H, Yang X L, Li C Z. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes incorporated with dendrimer encapsulated with Pt nanoparticles: an attractive material for sensitive biosensors. Chem Lett, 2006, 35: 326–327
Li C Z, Cai S Y, Fang T N. Rheological behavior of aciculate ultrafine α-FeOOH particle preparation system under alkaline conditions. J Solid State Chem, 1998, 141: 94–98
Chen F Y, Gu Y F, Wang S, Hu L M. Thixotropy-antithixotropy behavior of concentrated surface modified ultrafine calcium carbonate suspension. Chem Res Chinese Univ, 1998, 19: 99–102 (in Chinese)
Chen F Y, Xu Y, Wang S, Gu Y F, Hu L M. Rhelogical properties of surface modified ultrafine calcium carbonate suspensions. J East China Univ Sci Techn (China), 1994, 20: 750–752 (in Chinese)
Li C Z, Hua B. Preparation of nanocrystalline SnO2 thin film coated Al2O3 ultrafine particles by fluidized chemical vapor deposition. Thin Solid Film, 1997, 310: 238–243
Hua B, Li C Z. Production and characterization of nanocrystalline SnO2 films on Al2O3 agglomerates by CVD in a fluidized bed. Mater Chem Phys, 1999, 59: 130–135
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Li, C. Structure controlling and process scale-up in the fabrication of nanomaterials. Front. Chem. Eng. China 4, 18–25 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-009-0305-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-009-0305-3