Microfluidic lab-on-a-chip characterization of nano- to microparticles suspensions by light extinction spectrometry

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel microfluidic lab-on-a-chip method that uses light extinction spectrometry to accurately characterize particle size distribution and concentration in nano- to microparticle suspensions.

Contribution

A new microscale approach combining multiple detection channels for simultaneous light extinction spectra to analyze colloidal suspensions.

Findings

Effective for particles from 30 nm to 0.5 μm

Accurate measurement of concentrations from 1 to 1000 ppm

Demonstrates potential for improved particle analysis

Abstract

The analysis of nano-and microparticle suspensions with micro systems affords improved space-time yields, selectivity, reaction residence times and conversions capabilities. These capabilities are of primary importance in various fields of research and industry. The few microfluidic lab-on-a-chip approaches that have been developed are essentially designed to analyse fluid phases or involve the use of benchtop particle sizing instruments. We report a novel microscale approach to characterize the particle size distribution and absolute concentration of colloidal suspensions. The method is based on a photonic lab-on-a-chip with three scale-specific detection channels to record simultaneous light extinction spectra. Experiments carried out on particle standards with sizes ranging from 30 nm to 0.5 $\mu$m and volume concentrations of 1 to 1000ppm, clearly demonstrate the value and potential of the proposed method.