Microfluidics as a Nanoparticle Generator

Microfluidics as a nanoparticle generator allows for high shear micromixing and hydrodynamic focusing microfluidic methods for hundreds of nanometer polymer particle production.

Microfluidics enables a steady and finely controlled laminar flows to generate highly monodispersed polymer nanoparticles as demonstrated in Figure 1 below describing the average particle size for PLGA nanoparticles fabricated by hydrodynamic flow-focusing microfluidics.

Figure 1: Size distribution of the PLGA nanoparticles for various flow rate ratios (data acquired thanks to Emilie Secret, PHENIX, Sorbonne Université, Paris)

Furthermore, the accurate control of the flow rates with pressure-driven flow-controlled microfluidics ensures an effective tuning over the size, shape, and morphology of particles, resulting in greater reproducibility and scalability. Those advantages are key for many nanoparticle generation fields of application, notably for the pharmaceutical industry compared to conventional batch methods.

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Example of PLGA nanoparticle generator

Advantages of microfluidics as nanoparticle generator

This application note highlights how microfluidics can be employed as a nanoparticle generator. The focus is given to the example of the use of microfluidics to perform PLGA nanoparticles generation with an hydrodynamic flow focusing microfluidic chip, use the OB1 flow controller and digital flow sensors to maintain a precise flow rate ratio and induce a highly monodisperse nanoparticle fabrication.

In this setup, the nanoparticles are produced by a process called nanoprecipitation. For more general information, read also our review on microfluidic nanoparticle synthesis. Using this microfluidic setup to manufacture PLGA NPs allows you to easily tune their sizes and concentration by varying the flow rates of the respective reagents (aqueous and polymeric). The NPs produced have less batch-to-batch variability and a narrow size distribution with a polydispersity index (PDI) typically below 0.2.

List of components for Microfluidic Nanoparticle Generation

Nanoparticle Generation Model Setup Diagram

HARDWARE:

• Pressure & flow controller: Impose a given pressure in order to create a stable and pulseless flow.
• Reservoirs: Contains your aqueous and polymeric solutions. Various cap sizes are available, from Eppendorfs to bottles.
• Flow sensors: Monitor and control the flow rate in real time.
• Microfluidic chip: Purchased from Microfluidic ChipShop and made in a solvent compatible material.
• Computer with ESI software: Control all the parameters with our software and automate your experiment by creating sequences.

REAGENTS:

• PLGA solution (Resomer 503 H at 50 mg/mL) in solvent
• Solvent (acetonitrile)
• Surfactant solution (PVA 1%)

PLGA Nanoparticle Generator Model Protocol

The selected design of the microfluidic chip (Fluidic 386) is suitable to produce highly monodisperse PLGA nanoparticles ranging from 160 to 230 nm (See Figure 1). For the full description about how to generate PLGA nanoparticle by hydrodynamic focusing, please check the related application or download its free PDF!

For more information about how to employ microfluidics as a nanoparticle generator, please contact our team of experts!