Continuous Flow Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Using Water-in-Oil Microemulsion

A continuous laminar flow reactor for the synthesis of nanopowder in microemulsion is described. The reactor is suitable for separated handling with nucleation, growth, and stabilization processes. The synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles was selected as a model case. A water−sodium dodecyl sulphate−cyclohexene system was used as the microemulsion system for dissolving reactive aqueous solution, precursor, and a particle stabilizer. The product was purified and transferred to the aqueous phase. The result was a colloid solution of iron oxide nanoparticles in water of 50–200 nm in size with a zeta potential ranging from –25 to –57 mV. The product was characterized by UV-VIS spectroscopy, powder XRD, dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, and electron diffraction. The results showed that water-in-oil microemulsion method is useful for the synthesis of nanopowders to obtain large amounts of stable product.