Evaluation of different cavitational reactors for size reduction of DADPS

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Conventional mechanical size reduction is energy-intensive.
• Recrystallization using an antisolvent approach (water) is explored for particle size reduction.
• Cavitational reactors offer a potential alternative to mechanical methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare different cavitational reactors for the size reduction of 3,3 '-Diamino Diphenyl Sulfone (DADPS).
• To determine the optimal conditions for particle size reduction using ultrasound and homogenization.
• To assess the energy efficiency of various size reduction techniques.

Main Methods:

• Recrystallization of DADPS using water as an antisolvent.
• Application of ultrasound via probes and baths at varying power levels.
• Size reduction using a High Speed Homogenizer at different rotational speeds.
• Analysis of particle size and morphology using particle size analyzers and optical microscopy.

Main Results:

• Higher power intensity and power density correlated with smaller final particle sizes for ultrasonic treatments.
• The Sonics VCX750 probe achieved 85.47% size reduction under specific conditions.
• The High Speed Homogenizer at 7000 rpm yielded 92.35% size reduction in 15 minutes, demonstrating superior energy efficiency.

Conclusions:

• Cavitational reactors, particularly the High Speed Homogenizer, offer an efficient alternative for DADPS particle size reduction.
• The study provides a first-time comparison of various cavitational devices for size reduction.
• Optimal reactor choice and operating conditions are crucial for effective and energy-efficient particle size reduction.