Development of scalable synthetic methods for colloidal nanocrystals is essential to widespread commercialization of promising lab-scale nanocrystalline materials. In particular, insight on scalable methods can be incorporated into basic research studies to improve their commercial potential. This work analyzes the economic and environmental benefits of two synthesis technologies that have been demonstrated at lab scale and offer improved scalability for nanocrystal synthesis. The technologies are millifluidic flow synthesis (as compared to traditional batch reaction) and ionic liquid recycling (as compared to cost-prohibitive once-through use of ionic liquids as colloidal synthesis solvents). Both pathways are evaluated rigorously with respect to their cost and scalability with the help of CatCost, a free and public tool for catalyst cost estimation. The impact of the process improvements in each pathway on capital costs, operating costs, materials requirements, and more are presented alongside evidence of matching or superior performance compared to the respective incumbent pathway. The analysis reveals the potential for dramatic savings on the order of 100X reductions in labor, operating, and utilities costs. These results provide an example to help other researchers easily incorporate rapid cost analysis using CatCost into their R&D processes, ultimately speeding the development and adoption of nanomaterial innovations.

Scalable synthesis of colloidal nanocrystals revealed using economic analysis: Millifluidic flow systems and recyclable ionic liquids

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

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