TY - JOUR A1 - Lüdicke, M. G. A1 - Hildebrandt, Jana A1 - Schindler, C. A1 - Sperling, R. A. A1 - Maskos, M. T1 - Automated QuantumDots Purification via Solid Phase Extraction JF - Nanomaterials N2 - The separation of colloidal nanocrystals from their original synthesis medium is an essential process step towards their application, however, the costs on a preparative scale are still a constraint. A new combination of approaches for the purification of hydrophobic Quantum Dots is presented, resulting in an efficient scalable process in regard to time and solvent consumption, using common laboratory equipment and low-cost materials. The procedure is based on a combination of solvent-induced adhesion and solid phase extraction. The platform allows the transition from manual handling towards automation, yielding an overall purification performance similar to one conventional batch precipitation/centrifugation step, which was investigated by thermogravimetry and gas chromatography. The distinct miscibility gaps between surfactants used as nanoparticle capping agents, original and extraction medium are clarified by their phase diagrams, which confirmed the outcome of the flow chemistry process. Furthermore, the solubility behavior of the Quantum Dots is put into context with the Hansen solubility parameters framework to reasonably decide upon appropriate solvent types. KW - Quantum Dots KW - Purification PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-559590 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12121983 SN - 2079-4991 VL - 12 IS - 12 PB - MDPI CY - Basel AN - OPUS4-55959 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -