On the micromixing behavior of a spinning disk reactor for metallic Cu nanoparticles production

The interest in producing copper nanoparticles is high, mainly due to their enhanced properties, a wide range of possible and different applications, and the possibility for their use in the framework of catalysis. The purpose of this study is to synthesize copper nanoparticles by chemical reduction of copper sulfate with L-ascorbic acid and sodium borohydride capable to eliminate free radicals providing an antioxidant environment promoting pure copper nuclei formation. The micromixing conditions necessary for the nanoparticles production are provided by a spinning disk reactor (SDR). Relevant operational parameters, such as the disk speed velocity and the position of the reactant injectors, will lead to different product outcomes. The latter was checked by means of a dynamic light scattering instrument (DLS). At the end, depending on the adopted operating conditions, the SDR was able to produce particles between 16 nm and 39 nm, with a particle size distribution (PSD) characterized by a narrow, monomodal plot. In comparison to the smallest particles obtained in a stirred reactor tank, that is, 132 nm, the obtained results appear to be very promising.