Continuous process to deposit nanoparticles onto microparticles

A novel approach, based on electrostatic forces, for coating microparticles with nanoparticles in a continuous manner is presented. Host particles are charged via tribocharging in a fluidized bed, and removed from the bed by entrainment. Using electrospraying, a spray of charged nanoparticles with opposite polarity is generated. Their charge prevents agglomeration while promoting efficient deposition at the surface of the host particle. By contacting a falling curtain of microparticles with the oppositely charged nanoparticles, nanostructured particles are formed. Various process layouts are explored while a proof of concept is demonstrated for continuous production of nanostructured particles.

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► Novel continuous process of coating microparticles with nanoparticles is developed.
► Electrohydrodynamic atomization is utilized to charge and disperse nanoparticles.
► Microparticles are tribocharged in a fluidized bed.
► Subsequently, they are entrained and coated by the dispersed nanoparticles.