Synthesis of gold nanoparticles with different sizes and morphologies using a single LTCC-based microfluidic system for point-of-care use in personalized medicine

The potential of microfluidics for point-of-care diagnosis and personalized medicine has been drawing attention to this technology in biomedical fields. Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics (LTCC) is a promising material for the construction of microfluidic systems for point- of-care use since it has favorable inherent physico-chemical properties, and its fabrication methods are simple and easy to adapt to further needs. Here, we design and construct a microdevice for the continuous synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), based on reduction using modified citrate protocols. The AuNPs produced were characterized using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Zeta Potential analysis. Depending on the temperature, residence time, and citrate concentration chosen during synthesis, a range of nanoparticle sizes and shapes were consistently produced, indicating that the process could be suitable for the production of nanoparticles for personalized medicine. By using a single microreactor, AuNPs were produced with sizes ranging from 19 to 117 nm, with at least 7 different shapes, including complex morphologies, such as nanodendrites and tadpole-shaped particles, indicating the simplicity and versatility of the microfluidic device.