Porous Silicon: From Formation to Applications: Optoelectronics, Microelectronics, and Energy Technology Applications, Volume Three

Chapter 14

PSi-Based Microreactors

Caitlin Baker and James L. Gole

14.1 Introduction

Chemical synthesis, analysis of chemical kinetics, and process development all benefit from the many advantages offered by microreactors (Jensen 2001). The submillimeter dimensions and large surface area to volume ratio of microreactors, in contrast to macroscale systems and batch reaction vessels, allow for increased heat and mass transfer for gas, fluid, and multiphase reactions (Löwe and Ehrfeld 1999; Roumanie et al. 2008). Microreactors can be operated in a continuous flow configuration, circumventing possible inconsistencies arising from batch-wise reaction processes. Precise control of reaction conditions, such as isothermally performing highly exothermic ...