Producing Nanoparticles Using Supercritical Fluids

Traditional means
Traditional means of making specifically sized material involves several techniques. These include:
• Milling
• Grinding or
• Crushing

But each of these has problems such as thermal and chemical degradation. Crystallization by adjusting supersaturation, using anti-solvents, or employing reactions and precipitations also have shortcomings:
• Product contamination
• High energy requirements
• Waste solvents
• Low yields
• Non-uniform particles

Using Supercritical Fluids
The use of Supercritical Fluids to make particles eliminates these shortcomings. There are number of SCF techniques to produce particles of controlled size and morphology for organic molecules in the sub micron range:
• RESS-Rapid Expansion of a Supercritical Solution
• GAS- Gas Anti-Solvent
• PCA- Precipitation by Compressed Fluid Anti-Solvent
• SEDS -Solution Enhanced Dispersion of Supercritical Fluids

RESS-Rapid Expansion of a Supercritical Solution
With RESS, material is dissolved in the SCF and then depressurized though a nozzle.

GAS- Gas Anti-Solvent
Here the compound is dissolved in an organic solvent, a supercritical fluid is introduced, expanding the volume and lowering the solvents solvent strength causing the compound to precipitate under controlled conditions of particle formation.

PCA- Precipitation by Compressed Fluid Anti-Solvent
With PCA, the compound dissolved in an organic solvent is sprayed into a SCF, casuing supersaturation and solute precipitation.

SEDS -Solution Enhanced Dispersion of Supercritical Fluids
Using SEDS, the compound is dissolved in an aqueous solution and the simultaneously sprayed through a coaxial nozzle with an organic solvent into the supercritical fluid. The water is dissolved into the solvent and SCF causing supersaturation and precipitation.

Nanoparticles of inorganic compounds can also be produced using supercritical fluids and sub-critical fluids. Thermal decomposition and hydrothermal syntheses are but two ways to accomplish this.

Applied Separations can provide you with the means to make both organic and inorganic particles.

Using SCF to Create Biofuel

Recently, yourgreenlife.org posted an article about Biofuels, which are currently one of the most discussed renewable fuel sources. One of the alternative fuel sources being researched is Biodiesel algae.


Supercritical fluids are being used as one of the methods of removing the oil from the algae. SCF removes 100% of the oil from the algae.


To read the full article:


http://www.yourgreenlife.org/2010/02/renewable-fuel-sources-biodiesel-algae/

Supercritical Fluid Used in the Creation of Product to Reduce Risk of Heart Ailments, Cancer and Alzheimers

UPM Creates Product That Reduces Risk Of Heart Ailments, Cancer And Alzheimer's Disease

Supercritical fluids were used by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) in their creation of Thymoquinone Rich Fraction (TQRF), a herbal product which reduces the risk of heart ailments, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and slows the aging process. Click the link below to read the full article:

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=471960

Supercritical fluids are very beneficial in these types of processes because they leave no solvent residue, resulting in a contaminant -free extract.

Professor receives award from the U.S. Department of Energy - CNAS NewsWatch - Missouri State University

Saw this announcement today. Exciting things happening in the field of supercritical fluids!

Professor receives award from the U.S. Department of Energy - CNAS NewsWatch - Missouri State University

Applied Separations Launches Improved Website

Applied Separations has launched a new, improved version of their extensive
website, http://www.appliedseparations.com

The Applied Separations website
is now even more user friendly, full of
well-organized information about
their Supercritical Fluid
and Solid Phase product lines.





-New Easy to Navigate Section-

Included in the new site is an easy to navigate section on the Uses for
Supercritical Fluids, such as Aerogel Drying, Medical Implant
Cleaning, Metal Injection Molding, Natural Products Extractions,
Critical Cleaning, Textile Dying... the list goes on!


As always, the Applied Separations website is a great resource. Visit the site today to see the improvements!