Quantum materials made in microfluidics - critical review and perspective
Marek Wojnicki, Volker Hessel
Abstract
Quantum materials exhibit excellent optical properties. They are applied for displays, sensors, detectors of radiation, as well as in bioimaging and ion detection. Quantum materials change their optical properties depending on their size. Therefore the synthesis of monodisperse quantum materials is a prime goal. Many years ago microfluidics reactors have been proven to be an effective tool to produce functional materials on the nanometer scale and to synthesize nanomaterials with controllable morphology and customized properties. Accordingly, this review focuses on recent progress and perspectives in the microfluidic fabrication of quantum materials. In this paper, examples are shown to demonstrate how quantum materials, including semiconductor nanocrystals, carbon quantum dots, metal nanoparticles (especially metal clusters), rare earth doped nanophosphors, and fluorescent oxide, are fabricated, and their quality and properties are controlled. The review aims to serve as an instruction for the scientific as well as an industry research group interested in the field of quantum materials synthesis and scale-up production.