Nanoparticles Are Separated in a Different Pattern from Microparticles with Focused Flow Control

Abstract

Separation of particles is essential to ensure the reliability and reproducibility of experiments for nanometer-scale materials. There are several methods, such as ultracentrifugation, precipitation, filtration, etc., for separation. However, the separation of nanoparticles in a continuous operation has not been examined widely. Here, we report the separation of nanometer-scale particles on a microfluidic system and related separation phenomena of nanoparticles from microparticles. We also describe not-yet-confirmed reversed behaviors of nanoparticle separation in the process of continuous operation. The present system along with elucidated operational conditions could be applied to treat relatively large quantities of nanometer-scale particles.