(510d) Evaluation of Nucleation and Growth Kinetics of Ionic Liquid-Based Pt Nanoparticles Synthesis in a Millifluidic Reactor By in Situ Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering

Ionic liquids have gained research interest as an alternative reaction medium for nanoparticle synthesis due to their ability to colloidally stabilize nanoparticles while inducing high nucleation rates. In contrast to organic solvents, which tend to be volatile and flammable, ionic liquids are environmentally friendly, and safe. Synthesis of Pt nanoparticles by polyol reduction in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMIM-Tf₂N) ionic liquid solvent has been reported as a viable approach to form colloidally stable Pt nanoparticles. However, the mechanism behind the nucleation and growth kinetics has not yet been explored. In-Situ Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) provides the means to probe the formation mechanism in real-time. Herein, by utilizing SAXS, we present the real-time monitoring for the nucleation and growth kinetics of BMIM-Tf₂N-based Pt nanoparticles in a millifluidic reactor. We propose a robust and cost-effective reactor design for in situ SAXS measurements that allows for time resolution ranging from milliseconds to several minutes while operating at moderately high temperatures up to 350 ËšC. In this design, multiple measurement points are taken along the reactor channels, each corresponding to a specific time resolution along the reaction at steady state.