ABSTRACT
Microemulsions are colloidal nanodispersions of water in oil (or oil in water) stabilized by a surfactant fi lm. These thermodynamically stable dispersions can be considered as true nanoreactors, which can be used to synthesize nanomaterials. The main idea behind this technique is that by appropriate control of the synthesis
16.1 Introduction ............................................................................................ 451 16.2 Simulation Procedure ............................................................................. 453 16.2.1 Chemical Reaction.................................................................... 454 16.2.2 Nucleation ................................................................................. 454 16.2.3 Exchange .................................................................................. 455 16.2.4 Autocatalysis ............................................................................ 455 16.3 Results and Discussion ........................................................................... 455 16.3.1 Critical Nucleus Size ................................................................ 455 16.3.2 Chemical Reaction Rate ........................................................... 458 16.4 Conclusion .............................................................................................. 461 Acknowledgments ............................................................................................. 461 Symbols and Terminologies .............................................................................. 461 References ......................................................................................................... 462
parameters one can use these nanoreactors to produce tailor-made products down to a nanoscale level. The technique is very simple, as can be seen in Figure 16.1. Two reactants (A and B) are introduced in two identical microemulsions. After mixing both emulsions, droplets collide and interchange the reactants. Then the reaction can take place inside the nanoreactors.
