FLOW FOCUSING TYPE ONE-STEP DOUBLE EMULSION DROPLET PARALLEL GENERATION DEVICE AND METHOD
20230311087 · 2023-10-05
Assignee
Inventors
- Fan Jiang (Guangzhou, CN)
- Haitao Huang (Guangzhou, CN)
- Meirong Chen (Guangzhou, CN)
- Haoxiang Huang (Guangzhou, CN)
- Yuqin Huang (Guangzhou, CN)
- Ju Yan (Guangzhou, CN)
Cpc classification
B01J13/04
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B01F33/3011
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B01L2400/086
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B01L2300/0861
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B01J13/10
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B01L2200/0636
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B01F23/4144
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B01J13/04
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B01J13/10
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B01L3/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A flow focusing type one-step double emulsion droplet parallel generation device and method. The device comprises a fluid injection module, a liquid droplet generation module, a liquid droplet surface solidification module and a liquid droplet collection module, wherein the fluid injection module is used for conveying fluid of each phase to the liquid droplet generation module; and the liquid droplet generation module comprises a fluid distribution functional area, a liquid droplet preparation functional area and an auxiliary functional arca, wherein the liquid droplet distribution functional area is used for conveying the fluid of each phase into a channel of the fluid of each phase corresponding to the liquid droplet preparation functional area, and the fluid of each phase is gathered at the same point in a flow focusing structure and then is broken, and a fluid of an outer phase covers the fluid of the middle phase.
Claims
1. A flow focusing type one-step double emulsion droplet parallel generation device, comprising a fluid injection module, a droplet generation module, a droplet surface solidification module, and a droplet collection module, wherein the fluid injection module is configured for conveying an inner-phase fluid, a middle-phase fluid and an outer-phase fluid to the droplet generation module, and comprises an inner-phase fluid injection pump, a middle-phase fluid injection pump, and an outer-phase fluid injection pump; the droplet generation module comprises a fluid distribution functional region, a droplet preparation functional region, and an auxiliary functional region, wherein the auxiliary functional region is a cover plate; the fluid distribution functional region comprises an inner-phase distribution layer, a middle-phase distribution layer, and an outer-phase distribution layer; the droplet preparation functional region comprises a droplet preparation layer; the cover plate is provided with an inner-phase feed opening, a middle-phase feed opening, and an outer-phase feed opening, wherein the inner-phase feed opening, the middle-phase feed opening and the outer-phase feed opening are respectively communicated with the inner-phase fluid injection pump, the middle-phase fluid injection pump, and the outer-phase fluid injection pump through capillary tubes; the inner-phase distribution layer comprises an inner-phase inlet, an inner-phase outlet, and an inner-phase flow channel for communicating the inner-phase inlet with the inner-phase outlet; the middle-phase distribution layer comprises a middle-phase inlet, a middle-phase outlet, and a middle-phase flow channel for communicating the middle-phase inlet with the middle-phase outlet; the outer-phase distribution layer comprises an outer-phase inlet, an outer-phase outlet, and an outer-phase flow channel for communicating the outer-phase inlet with the outer-phase outlet, wherein the inner-phase inlet, the middle-phase inlet and the outer-phase inlet are respectively communicated with the inner-phase feed opening, the middle-phase feed opening and the outer-phase feed opening on the cover plate; the droplet preparation layer is provided with a flow focusing structure; the flow focusing structure comprises an inner-phase fluid inlet, a middle-phase fluid inlet, an outer-phase fluid inlet, a droplet outlet, and a preparation channel, wherein the inner-phase fluid inlet is communicated with the inner-phase outlet; the middle-phase fluid inlet is communicated with the middle-phase outlet; the outer-phase fluid inlet is communicated with the outer-phase outlet; the preparation channel comprises an inner-phase fluid channel, a middle-phase fluid channel, and an outer-phase fluid channel, wherein the inner-phase fluid channel is configured for communicating the inner-phase fluid inlet with the droplet outlet; the middle-phase fluid channel and the outer-phase fluid channel are located on both sides of the inner-phase fluid channel, and are gathered with the inner-phase fluid channel at the same point; the inner-phase fluid, the middle-phase fluid and the outer-phase fluid are broken in a gathering area; the middle-phase fluid covers the inner-phase fluid, and the outer-phase fluid covers the middle-phase fluid, so as to generate double emulsion droplets; the generated double emulsion droplets flow to the droplet outlet via the inner-phase fluid channel; the droplet surface solidification module is configured for solidifying the surface of the double emulsion droplets; the droplet collection module is configured for collecting the prepared double emulsion droplets; and the droplet collection module is communicated with the droplet outlet in the droplet preparation layer through a capillary tube.
2. The flow focusing type one-step double emulsion droplet parallel generation device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of groups of the flow focusing structures are provided, which are annularly arranged in parallel; correspondingly, a plurality of groups of the inner-phase outlets, middle-phase outlets and outer-phase outlets in the inner-phase distribution layer, the middle-phase distribution layer and the outer-phase distribution layer are provided; and the plurality of groups of inner-phase outlets, middle-phase outlets and outer-phase outlets are all in one-to-one correspondence to the inner-phase fluid inlets, the middle-phase fluid inlets and the outer-phase fluid inlets in the plurality of groups of focusing structures.
3. The flow focusing type one-step double emulsion droplet parallel generation device according to claim 1, wherein the inner-phase outlet, the middle-phase outlet and the outer-phase outlet are respectively communicated with the corresponding inner-phase fluid inlet, middle-phase fluid inlet and outer-phase fluid inlet in the droplet preparation layer through vertical flow channels; wherein the vertical flow channels comprise a plurality of through holes arranged in the inner-phase distribution layer, the middle-phase distribution layer and the outer-phase distribution layer; the corresponding through holes in the inner-phase distribution layer, the middle-phase distribution layer and the outer-phase distribution layer are communicated to form the vertical flow channels configured for communicating the inner-phase outlet with the inner-phase fluid inlet, communicating the middle-phase outlet with the middle-phase fluid inlet, and communicating the outer-phase outlet with the outer-phase fluid inlet.
4. The flow focusing type one-step double emulsion droplet parallel generation device according to claim 3, wherein each of the inner-phase flow channel, the middle-phase flow channel and outer-phase flow channel comprises two dispersed-phase fluid distribution functional regions and one continuous-phase fluid distribution functional region; planar flow channels of the inner-phase flow channel, the middle-phase flow channel and the outer-phase flow channel have a width of 1000 μm-2000 μm and a depth of 500 μm-1000 μm; each vertical flow channel has the same width as that of each planar flow channel; and neither of the vertical flow channel and the planar flow channel are coated.
5. The flow focusing type one-step double emulsion droplet parallel generation device according to claim 3, wherein the preparation channel in the droplet preparation layer has a width of 20 μm-2000 μm and a depth of 20 μm-1000 μm; and a coating material for the droplet preparation layer is a hydrophobic material or an oleophobic material.
6. The flow focusing type one-step double emulsion droplet parallel generation device according to claim 1, wherein the inner-phase fluid injection pump, the middle-phase fluid injection pump and the outer-phase fluid injection pump have the same structures, each of which comprises an injection pump and one or more injectors, the one or more injectors are mounted on the injection pump and are arranged in parallel; and outlets of the one or more injectors are communicated with the corresponding phase feed openings on the cover plate through a capillary tube.
7. The flow focusing type one-step double emulsion droplet parallel generation device according to claim 6, wherein the capillary tube is a thin polytetrafluoroethylene tube.
8. The flow focusing type one-step double emulsion droplet parallel generation device according to claim 3, wherein the inner-phase fluid channel in the flow focusing structure is perpendicular to the outer-phase fluid channel, and forms an included angle of 45° with the middle-phase fluid channel.
9. A method for the flow focusing type one-step double emulsion droplet parallel generation device according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: S1. putting an inner-phase fluid, a middle-phase fluid and an outer-phase fluid into the inner-phase fluid injection pump, the middle-phase fluid injection pump and the outer-phase fluid injection pump of the fluid injection module respectively; S2. controlling the inner-phase fluid injection pump, the middle-phase fluid injection pump and the outer-phase fluid injection pump to work independently to inject the inner-phase fluid, the middle-phase fluid and the outer-phase fluid into the inner-phase feed opening, the middle-phase feed opening and the outer-phase feed opening on the cover plate through the capillary tubes respectively; S3. controlling the fluids of the various phases entering the cover plate to flow to corresponding spacer layers and into the corresponding fluid channels in the droplet preparation layer along flow channels in the corresponding spacer layer, wherein the inner-phase fluid entering from the inner-phase feed opening in the cover plate passes through the inner-phase inlet to the inner-phase distribution layer, flows along the inner-phase flow channel in the inner-phase distribution layer to the inner-phase outlet, and enters the inner-phase fluid channel through the inner-phase fluid inlet; the middle-phase fluid entering from the middle-phase feed opening in the cover plate passes through the middle-phase inlet to the middle-phase distribution layer, flows along the middle-phase flow channel in the middle-phase distribution layer to the middle-phase outlet, and enters the middle-phase fluid channel through the middle-phase fluid inlet; the outer-phase fluid entering from the outer-phase feed opening in the cover plate passes through the outer-phase inlet to the outer-phase distribution layer, flows along the outer-phase flow channel in the outer-phase distribution layer to the outer-phase outlet, and enters the outer-phase fluid channel through the outer-phase fluid inlet; S4. controlling the inner-phase fluid entering the droplet preparation layer to flow along the inner-phase fluid channel, controlling the middle-phase fluid to flow along the middle-phase fluid channel, and controlling the outer-phase fluid to flow along the outer-phase fluid channel, wherein the inner-phase fluid, the middle-phase fluid and the outer-phase fluid are broken at the gathering part of the inner-phase fluid channel, the middle-phase fluid channel and the outer-phase fluid channel, so that the middle-phase fluid covers the inner-phase fluid, and the outer-phase fluid covers the middle-phase fluid to generate double emulsion droplets; and S5. after controlling the generated double emulsion droplets to pass through the droplet outlet along the inner-phase fluid channel, in the process that the double emulsion droplets flow into the droplet collection module via the capillary tubes, solidifying, by the droplet surface solidification module, the surfaces of the double emulsion droplets, and collecting the double emulsion droplets through the droplet collection module after the surfaces of the double emulsion droplets are solidified.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035]
[0036]
[0037]
[0038]
[0039]
[0040]
[0041]
[0042]
[0043]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0044] The present disclosure is further described in detail below in combination with the embodiments and accompanying drawings, but the implementations of the present disclosure are not limited to this.
[0045] Referring to
[0046] The fluid injection module 1 is configured for conveying an inner-phase fluid, a middle-phase fluid and an outer-phase fluid, and includes an inner-phase fluid injection pump, a middle-phase fluid injection pump, and an outer-phase fluid injection pump.
[0047] The droplet generation module includes a fluid distribution functional region, a droplet preparation functional region, and an auxiliary functional region. The auxiliary functional region is a cover plate 2. The fluid distribution functional region includes an inner-phase distribution layer 3, a middle-phase distribution layer 4, and an outer-phase distribution layer 5. The droplet preparation functional region includes a droplet preparation layer 6. The cover plate 2, the inner-phase distribution layer 3, the middle-phase distribution layer 4, the outer-phase distribution layer 5, and the droplet preparation layer 6 all have a thickness of 2 mm and a dimension of 130 mm×130 mm.
[0048] The cover plate 2 is provided with an inner-phase feed opening, a middle-phase feed opening, and an outer-phase feed opening. The inner-phase feed opening, the middle-phase feed opening and the outer-phase feed opening are respectively communicated with the inner-phase fluid injection pump, the middle-phase fluid injection pump, and the outer-phase fluid injection pump through capillary tubes.
[0049] The inner-phase distribution layer 3 includes an inner-phase inlet, an inner-phase outlet, and an inner-phase flow channel for communicating the inner-phase inlet with the inner-phase outlet. The middle-phase distribution layer 4 includes a middle-phase inlet, a middle-phase outlet, and a middle-phase flow channel for communicating the middle-phase inlet with the middle-phase outlet. The outer-phase distribution layer 5 includes an outer-phase inlet, an outer-phase outlet, and an outer-phase flow channel for communicating the outer-phase inlet with the outer-phase outlet. The inner-phase inlet, the middle-phase inlet and the outer-phase inlet are respectively communicated with the inner-phase feed opening, the middle-phase feed opening and the outer-phase feed opening on the cover plate 2.
[0050] The droplet preparation layer 6 is provided with a flow focusing structure. The flow focusing structure includes an inner-phase fluid inlet 6-1, a middle-phase fluid inlet 6-2, an outer-phase fluid inlet 6-3, a droplet outlet 6-4, and a preparation channel. The inner-phase fluid inlet 6-1 is communicated with the inner-phase outlet. The middle-phase fluid inlet 6-2 is communicated with the middle-phase outlet. The outer-phase fluid inlet 6-3 is communicated with the outer-phase outlet. The preparation channel includes an inner-phase fluid channel, a middle-phase fluid channel, and an outer-phase fluid channel. The inner-phase fluid channel is configured for communicating the inner-phase fluid inlet 6-1 with the droplet outlet 6-4. The middle-phase fluid channel and the outer-phase fluid channel are located on both sides of the inner-phase fluid channel, and are gathered with the inner-phase fluid channel at the same point; the inner-phase fluid, the middle-phase fluid and the outer-phase fluid are broken in a gathering area; the middle-phase fluid covers the inner-phase fluid, and the outer-phase fluid covers the middle-phase fluid, so as to generate double emulsion droplets; and the generated double emulsion droplets flow to the droplet outlet 6-4 via the inner-phase fluid channel.
[0051] The droplet collection module 7 is configured for collecting the prepared double emulsion droplets. The droplet collection module 7 is communicated with the droplet outlet 6-4 in the droplet preparation layer 6 through a capillary tube.
[0052] The droplet surface solidification module is an ultraviolet solidification device; and ultraviolet rays act on the capillary tube for connecting the droplet outlet in the droplet preparation layer to the droplet collection module.
[0053] Referring to
[0054] Referring to
[0055] In this embodiment, there are four groups of flow focusing structures, corresponding to four groups of inner-phase outlets, middle-phase outlets and outer-phase outlets in the inner-phase distribution layer 3, middle-phase distribution layer 4 and outer-phase distribution layer 5. The inner-phase fluid channels in the flow focusing structures are perpendicular to the outer-phase fluid channels, and form an included angle of 45° with the middle-phase fluid channels.
[0056] Referring to
[0057] In this embodiment, since four flow focusing structures are annularly connected in parallel in a circumferential direction of the droplet preparation layer 6, the outer-phase fluid enters from the outer-phase fluid inlet 6-3 flows through a three-way module to port A of one flow focusing structure and port E of another flow focusing structure. The middle-phase fluid entering from the middle-phase fluid inlet 6-2 flows through a three-way module to port B of one flow focusing structure and port D of another flow focusing structure. The inner-phase fluid entering from the inner-phase fluid inlet 6-1 flows from port C to port F of the flow focusing structure.
[0058] Referring to
[0059] In addition, the inlets of the various phases of the cover plate 2 are connected to the central buffer area 9 of the corresponding fluid distribution functional region through the vertical flow channels. That is, the inlets of the various phases of the fluid distribution functional region are arranged in the central buffer area 9, and the outlets of the various phases of the distribution functional regions of the fluids of the various phases are connected to the inlets of the fluids of the various phases in the droplet preparation functional region through the vertical flow channels. When the fluids flow through the central buffer area 9 with the distribution function for the fluids of the various phases and the inlets of the fluids of the various phases of the droplet preparation functional region, there is a high liquid phase resistance at a lower reach. Pressure changes caused by a height difference of different distribution layers can be ignored to achieve a more uniform fluid distribution in a vertical direction.
[0060] Referring to
[0061] During operation, the injector is driven by the injection pump to inject the inner-phase fluid, the middle-phase fluid and the outer-phase fluid respectively into the inner-phase feed opening, the middle-phase feed opening and the outer-phase feed opening on the cover plate 2. The fluids of the various phases flow from the inlets of the various phases on the cover plate 2 to the central buffer area 9 of the corresponding fluid distribution functional region (the inner-phase distribution layer 3, the middle-phase distribution layer 4 and the outer-phase distribution layer 5) through the vertical flow channels. The fluids flow from the central buffer area 9 along the flow channels through the second-level circular buffer area 8 and the third-level circular buffer area 8 to the outlet of the fluid distribution functional region, and enter the inlets of the fluids of the various phases of the droplet preparation layer 6 through the vertical flow channels. In addition, the flow rate and velocity of fluid injection can be controlled through the injection pump.
[0062] Referring to
[0063] Referring to
[0064] In this embodiment, the capillary tube is a thin polytetrafluoroethylene tube.
[0065] In addition, the droplet collection module 7 can also be a droplet surface solidification module, that is, the droplet collection module 7 also has a droplet surface solidification function.
[0066] Referring to
[0072] Referring to
[0073] Referring to
[0074] In order to have a more comprehensive understanding of the one-step double emulsion droplet parallel generation device of the present disclosure, a single flow focusing structure and four annularly parallel-connected flow focusing structures are used for two-dimensional simulation contrast experiments. Physical property and flow rate parameters related to the inner phase, the middle phase and the outer phase are adjusted respectively, so that an intersection of each preparation channel is formed into a regular double emulsion droplet under the cutting of the fluid. The shapes of the double emulsion droplets change in the flow channels, and the diameters of the double emulsion droplets also change, but the internal and external areas of the double emulsion droplets are unchanged. Therefore, a CV value (a ratio of a standard deviation of a particle size distribution to its arithmetic mean) is not used to compare the uniformity of the double emulsion droplets, but an RSD (relative standard deviation) of the internal and external areas is used to compare the uniformity. ImageJ is used to calculate the internal and external areas (two-dimensional areas) of the double emulsion droplets. The region of the selected double emulsion droplets is decomposed into gray-scale images according to different colors, and inner and outer contours of the double emulsion droplets are determined respectively. Then, a ratio of an image size to an actual numerical value is determined using a scribing function, and the internal and external areas are extracted respectively through analyze. In order to obtain more accurate results, the first few double emulsion droplets generated are ignored, and the twelve double emulsion droplets continuously generated by the single flow focusing structure and the parallel-connected structures are taken to calculate the RSD of the internal and external areas of the double emulsion droplets respectively.
[0075] In a whole simulation experiment, the RSD of the internal area of the double emulsion droplets of the single flow focusing structure is 2.65%, and the RSD of the external area is 2.85%. The RSD of the internal area of the double emulsion droplets of the parallel-connected structures is 2.29%, and the RSD of the external area is 2.19%. The simulation results show that the uniformity of double emulsion droplets generated by the parallel-connected structures is greater than that of the double emulsion droplets generated by the single structure. Generally, the RSD of the double emulsion droplets generated by the confocal structure is less than 5%, which is in line with the reality.
[0076] The preferred implementations of the present disclosure are described above, but the implementations of the present disclosure are not limited by the above-mentioned content, and any other changes, modifications, substitutions, combinations, and simplifications that are made without departing from the spirit essence and principle of the present disclosure shall all be equivalent replacement methods, which all fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.