Large-Scale Fast Fluid Dynamic Processes for the Syntheses of 2D Nanohybrids of Metal Nanoparticle-Deposited Boron Nitride Nanosheet and Their Glycolysis of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Abstract

Owing to the unique mass and heat transfer, fluidic-flow control systems or reactors can potentially provide advantages for organic and inorganic syntheses compared to the static reactors. In this study, it is demonstrated that a fluid dynamic reactor based on Taylor-Couette (T-C) flow provides high-throughput processes for the exfoliation of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), syntheses of metal-nanoparticle-(NP)-deposited hBN nanohybrids, and their glycolysis reactions of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The mechanical shear force and dynamic mixing behavior of the T-C flow lead to a stable colloidal suspension of exfoliated hBN sheets with a high exfoliation yield of 77.9% and high production rate of 0.48 g h(-1). A fast synthesis of metal NPs (Pd, Pt, Ag, and RuO(2)NPs) onto the hBN surface is achieved by using the controlled T-C flow within only 2 min owing to the efficient mass and heat transfer of the T-C flow. The T-C flow considerably reduces the reaction time (30 min) and temperature (100 degrees C) for the Pd/hBN-catalyst-based glycolysis reaction of PET to bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate compared to those of the conventional static reaction that is performed above 200 degrees C for 120 min.