Breakthrough in Nanotechnology: Femtoliter Batch Reactors Enable Characterization of Catalytic Reactions on Single Nanoparticles

Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, have made a significant discovery in the field of nanotechnology. The research team, led by Joachim Fritzsche, has developed a liquid phase nanofluidic batch reactor with a volume of 4.8 femtoliters, which can be opened and closed using a bypassing N gas stream. This innovative technology enables the characterization of catalytic reactions on a single nanoparticle inside the reactor, as demonstrated on the example of the catalytic reduction of fluorescein by sodium borohydride on a Au catalyst.

Key Takeaways:

• Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a femtoliter batch reactor that can be used to study catalytic reactions on single nanoparticles.
• The reactor has a volume of 4.8 femtoliters and can be opened and closed using a bypassing N gas stream.
• The technology enables the characterization of catalytic reactions on a single nanoparticle using nanofluidic scattering spectroscopy (NSS) readout.
• The research demonstrates the catalytic reduction of fluorescein by sodium borohydride on a Au catalyst using the femtoliter batch reactor.
• The findings of this research have significant implications for the development of new catalysts and the understanding of catalytic reactions at the nanoscale.
• The research team, led by Joachim Fritzsche, includes additional authors Bjorn Altenburger and Christoph Langhammer.
• The study has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Small Methods.

Statistics:

• The volume of the femtoliter batch reactor is 4.8 femtoliters.
• The technology enables the characterization of catalytic reactions on a single nanoparticle using nanofluidic scattering spectroscopy (NSS) readout.
• The research demonstrates the catalytic reduction of fluorescein by sodium borohydride on a Au catalyst using the femtoliter batch reactor.
• The research has significant implications for the development of new catalysts and the understanding of catalytic reactions at the nanoscale.

Sources:

• Femtoliter Batch Reactors for Nanofluidic Scattering Spectroscopy Analysis of Catalytic Reactions on Single Nanoparticles. Small Methods, 2025.
• Chalmers University of Technology Reports Findings in Nanoparticles (Femtoliter Batch Reactors for Nanofluidic Scattering Spectroscopy Analysis of Catalytic Reactions on Single Nanoparticles). Nanotechnology Weekly. June 16, 2025; p 62.