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Optimization of Continuous Synthesis of Cross‐Linked Chitosan Nanoparticles Using Microreactors
Author(s) -
Rathi Noopur,
Gaikar Vilas G.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.201600339
Subject(s) - microreactor , pulmonary surfactant , particle size , nucleation , nanoparticle , batch reactor , chitosan , population balance equation , chemical engineering , continuous reactor , chemistry , residence time (fluid dynamics) , batch processing , chromatography , particle (ecology) , materials science , population , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , catalysis , demography , geotechnical engineering , oceanography , sociology , geology , computer science , engineering , programming language
A process for continuous synthesis of cross‐linked chitosan‐sodium tripolyphosphate (CS‐TPP) nanoparticles is optimized using microreactors for its comparison with a batch stirred reactor. The effect of various parameters including residence time, concentration of CS, pH of the CS solutions, and stabilizing surfactant concentration was modeled by population balance equations (PBEs) to determine size, growth, and nucleation rates of the CS‐TPP nanoparticles. The smallest particle size was obtained at lower residence time, lower concentration of CS, pH 5, and using a surfactant concentration above its critical micellar concentration. The particles obtained from the microreactors are agglomerated but are smaller in size as compared to those obtained from the batch reactor. The system was also optimized for the minimum particle size applying the estimated growth rate and the PBEs.