A highly efficient three-solvent methodology for separating colloidal nanoparticles
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Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Tangential Flow Ultrafiltration: A “Green” Method for the Size Selection and Concentration of Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles
Published on: October 4, 2012
Zhe Tan1, Yuhan Liu1, Bo Huang1,2
1Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Innovation Harbour, Xi-xian New District, Xi'an 712000, China. bohuang@xjtu.edu.cn.
Abstract:
This study has established a three-solvent methodology for separating nanomaterials, such as monometallic nanoparticles, miscible and immiscible nanoalloys. After systematically investigating the separation methods in two-solvent and three-solvent systems, a three-solvent theoretical model has been proposed to thoroughly reveal the centrifugation mechanism of colloidal particles. PVP plays an important role in the formation of emulsion droplets as the key factor for separation. Based on the three-solvent model, a novel solvent system has been discovered, with low-toxicity solvents and high separation efficiency. This study can open a new path for the separation of colloidal particles in both research and industrial fields and further promote the development of functional nanomaterials in greener pathways.
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