Abstract:
Chemistry, often referred to as the "central science," is the study of matter and its transformations. It seeks to unravel the intricate dance of atoms and molecules as they undergo metamorphosis, resulting in the structural changes, formation of new compounds, and many more. One particular aspect in the modern chemistry is the study of transformation in microdroplets. This branch is known as microdroplet chemistry. Unlike conventional bulk reactions, microdroplets offer an environment where materials and molecules interact in unique ways, resulting in the synthesis of molecules1, pharmaceutical products2 and nanomaterials3.
In the present study, we used the electrospray technique to produce charged microdroplets. Our research delved into the transformations occurring within microdroplets, unveiling novel phenomena. Notably, ambient annealing of nanoparticles was observed4, wherein polydisperse nanoparticles rapidly converted into monodisperse analogues in microdroplets, within milliseconds, and without the need for external chemical reagents. This led us to investigate the limits of fragmentation within microdroplets, demonstrating their capability to break down micron-sized silica particles (ranging from 5-10 µm) into nanometre-sized particles. The influence of the microdroplet environment on molecules inside microdroplets is crucial. This was probed using macromolecules, such as proteins. Here we observed that the protein in a microdroplet captures proton from the outside environment resulting in the conformational change of the protein. Finally, we introduced a novel approach for synthesizing high entropy alloys via electrospray, opening doors to environmentally friendly methods of high entropy alloy nanoparticles production. This comprehensive exploration of microdroplets showcases their versatility and potential across various scientific domains, from organic synthesis to materials science, offering new insights into their transformative capabilities.
References:
1. X. Yan, R. M. Bain and R. G. Cooks, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2016, 55, 12960–12972.
2. S. Banerjee and R. N. Zare, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2015, 54, 14795–14799.
3. D. Sarkar, M. K. Mahitha, A. Som, A. Li, M. Wleklinski, R. G. Cooks and T. Pradeep, Adv. Mater., 2016, 28, 2223–2228.
4. A. Chowdhuri, ‡ B. K. Spoorthi, ‡ B. Mondal, P. Bose, S. Bose and T. Pradeep, Chem. Sci., 2021,12, 6370-6377.