A simple method of self assembled nano-particles deposition on the micro-capillary inner walls and the reactor application for photo-catalytic and enzyme reactions

A simple method using self-assembly of colloidal particles was applied to modify a microcapillary inner surface. It was possible to arrange the particles on to the capillary inner wall and to control particle layer thickness and layer patterning of by choosing adequate combinations of solvents and drying temperature. Furthermore, anatase type TiO2 coated SiO2 composite particles were shown to be applicable for the particle arrangement process in the microreactor to carry anatase type TiO2 catalyst. This process was applied as a simple catalyst carrying method onto the micro-reactor inner wall. It was applied for a few catalytic reaction systems including enzyme reaction and photocatalytic reaction. Enzyme reaction was enhanced because of the increase in the reactor surface area. Furthermore, reasonably good enhancement of the photocatalytic reaction was observed for a reaction in a micro-reactor. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.