Coaxial nozzle for control of particle morphology in precipitation with a compressed fluid antisolvent

Abstract

A coaxial nozzle was developed to achieve further control over the morphology of microparticles precipitated from solution by carbon dioxide as a compressed fluid antisolvent. The polymer solution was sprayed through the core of the nozzle and CO2 through the annulus. For the coaxial nozzle versus a standard nozzle, polystyrene and poly(L-lactic acid) particles can be larger by a factor of 3–8 with less flocculation. A reduction in the Weber number reduces atomization and larger droplets are formed in the jet, delaying precipitation. However, because of the much higher Reynolds number for the high velocity CO2, the mass transfer in the suspension outside of the jet is faster leading to less flocculation and agglomeration. For polyacrylonitrile, the delayed precipitation produces a transition from highly oriented microfibrils to microparticles. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 2105–2118, 1997