A Glass Microreactor is a small chemical reaction device based on microfluidic technology, usually consisting of tiny glass channels and microreaction chambers.
It adopts the principle of microfluidics to guide the reaction materials into tiny channels for efficient mixing and reaction on a microscopic scale.
In this paper, we will delve into the basic concepts, principles, structural design, performance characteristics, and wide range of applications of glass microreactors in chemical synthesis, drug discovery, and other fields.
I. Basic Concepts of Glass Microreactor
A glass microreactor is a miniature reaction device whose basic concept is to reduce a conventional chemical reactor to the microscopic scale.
The tiny dimensions and microfluidics of glass microreactors allow for more rapid and efficient reactions than conventional reactors.
The basic concept of microfluidics is to direct fluids into tiny channels to enable mixing and reactions on a microscopic scale.
II. Principles of Microchemical Reactor
The principles of microchemical reactors are mainly based on microfluidics and microreaction techniques.
Microfluidics enables rapid mixing and reaction of reaction materials in a microfluidic environment through tiny channels and microscale operation.
Microreaction technology, on the other hand, accelerates the reaction rate by providing higher specific surface area and shorter mass transfer distance through the design of tiny reaction chambers.
III. Structural Design of Microchemical Reactor
The structural design of a microchemical reactor is the key to its efficient reaction.
Typical structures include a network of tiny channels, micro-reaction chambers, mixing zones, heating/cooling systems and fluid control systems.
A network of micro-channels is used to direct the flow of reaction materials, micro-reaction chambers provide reaction sites, and mixing zones are specially designed to improve mixing efficiency.
A heating/cooling system is used to control the reaction temperature and a fluid control system is used to precisely control the reaction conditions.
IV. Performance Characteristics of Microchemical Reactor
Microchemical reactors exhibit unique performance characteristics widely applied in research and industry:
Efficient Reactions: Microchemical reactors achieve highly efficient reactions within a short time due to their microscopic scale.
Precise Control: The small size of microreaction chambers and the accuracy of fluid control systems enable precise control of reaction conditions.
Material Savings: Microchemical reactors typically require fewer reactants compared to traditional reactors, contributing to cost reduction.
Ease of Integration: Microchemical reactors have compact structures, making them easy to integrate into laboratory equipment and suitable for parallel operations.
Online Monitoring: Some glass microreactors come equipped with online monitoring systems, providing real-time data on the reaction process.
V. Applications of Microchemical Reactor
Microchemical reactors have achieved significant success in various fields:
Chemical Synthesis: Microchemical reactors effectively conduct chemical reactions, enhancing product purity and yield in organic synthesis.
Drug Development: Glass microreactors aid in the efficient synthesis of target molecules, accelerating the drug development process.
Catalysis Research: Applied in catalysis studies, microchemical reactors offer precise reaction conditions, expediting catalyst development.
Materials Synthesis: In the synthesis of nanomaterials and functional materials, glass microreactors provide effective means of controlling the synthesis process.
Laboratory Research: Suitable for small-scale experiments in laboratory research, facilitating quick verification of reaction conditions and products.
VI. Conclusion
As one of the applications of microfluidic technology, microchemical reactors have significantly contributed to chemical synthesis, drug development, and other fields. Their small size, controllability, and online monitoring capabilities make them highly sought-after devices in both laboratory and industrial applications.
With the continuous development of microfluidic technology, glass microreactors will optimize their designs for broader applications. In the future, as the demand for efficient, green, and precise synthesis grows, glass microreactors will play an increasingly important role in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and other fields, driving continuous technological innovation.
Dxfluidics Products
| Product Code | Outline （mm） | Channel | liquid volume （ml） | Chip material | Thickness （mm） | Temperature （℃） | pressure-resistant （MPa） | Price CNY | |
| Depth （mm） | Width （mm） | ||||||||
| M0012 | 80.4*50.4 | 0.25 | 1.25 | 0.15 | BF270 | 2+2 | -25⁓120 | 5 | 9000 |
| M0012-1 | 80.4*50.4 | 0.125 | 1.25 | 0.075 | BF270 | 2+2 | -25⁓120 | 5 | 5000 |
| M0013 | 95*68 | 0.25 | 1.25 | 0.5 | BF270 | 2+2 | -25⁓120 | 5 | 9000 |
| M0013-1 | 95*68 | 0.125 | 1.25 | 0.25 | BF270 | 2+2 | -25⁓120 | 5 | 5000 |
| M0014 | 100*100 | 0.2 | 1 | 0.4 | BF270 | 2+2 | -25⁓120 | 5 | 5000 |
| M0015 | 100*100 | 0.2 | 0.46 | 0.6 | BF270 | 2+2 | -25⁓120 | 5 | 5000 |
Ordering Methods
ZH_CN 
EN