Microfluidics for particle synthesis from photocrosslinkable materials

This paper is a review of microfluidics for particle synthesis from photocrosslinkable materials. Microfluidics for particle synthesis is rapidly gaining attention as a viable method for the synthesis of particles with applications in drug delivery, security, abrasives, rheology, catalysis and other areas. Particle synthesis can follow several schemes, but the focus of this review is particle synthesis from photocrosslinkable materials. In these systems, solid particles are formed by the light-initiated cross-linking of precursor materials. This review begins with a discussion of photocrosslinkable materials, typically synthetic hydrogels for particle synthesis applications. Next, polydimethyl siloxane and glass devices are presented as the primary microfluidic devices for synthesis from photocrosslinkable materials. Then, the review discusses three types of polymeric particles: spherical, spheroidal and Janus. Subsequently, composite particles and metal or metal oxide particles are discussed. The review closes with a discussion of particle throughput and the outlook for the field of particle synthesis from photocrosslinkable materials.