Morphology-controlled synthesis of Ag nanoparticle decorated poly(o-phenylenediamine) using microfluidics and its application for hydrogen peroxide detection

• Shear rate was utilized for the morphology controlled synthesis.
• The composition of AgNPs-PoPD can also be controlled.
• A phase diagram of AgNPs-PoPD morphology against flow rate was obtained.
• A H2O2 sensor was fabricated based on the AgNPs-PoPD spheres.

Shear rate was utilized for the morphology-controlled synthesis of silver nanoparticle decorated poly(o-phenylenediamine) (AgNPs-PoPD) using microfluidics. The morphology of AgNPs-PoPD, such as bundles of belts, twisted fibers, clusters, and microspheres, as well as the composition of AgNPs-PoPD clusters can be easily controlled by changing shear rates, which may provide a new potential method for the property control of materials. The phase diagram of AgNPs-PoPD morphology against reactant flow rate was obtained. The formation mechanism of different morphology of AgNPs-PoPD were analyzed and discussed based on numerical simulations. A H2O2 sensor based on AgNPs-PoPD spheres was fabricated, due to its good catalytic activity toward the reduction of H2O2. The linear detection range is determined to be from 20 μM to 180 μM, with the detection limit of 5.7 μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.

A new method for the morphology-controlled synthesis via tuning shear rate in microfluidic channels.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide