Nanotechnology and supercritical fluids

Abstract

Supercritical fluid (SCF) technology has become an important tool of materials processing in the last two decades. Supercritical CO 2 and H 2 O are extensively being used in the preparation of a great variety of nanomaterials. The interest in the preparation and application of nanometer size materials is increasing since they can exhibit properties of great industrial interest. Several techniques have been proposed to produce nanomaterials using supercritical fluids. These processes, taking advantage of the specific properties of supercritical fluids, are generally flexible, more simplified and with a reduced enviromental impact. The result is that nanomaterials with potentially better performances have been obtained. We propose a critical review of the supercritical based techniques applied to the production of nanoparticles materials.

QSPR Modelling of the Solubility of Drug and Drug‐like Compounds in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

“…[2,6,7] The most interesting characteristics of SCÀ CO 2 are their low critical point (31.3 °C, 7.4 MPa), that are easy to reach and to manipulate in an industrial device, [2,6,7] their appeal for heat-sensitive materials; it is inert, leaves no traces after the process, inexpensive, noninflammable, GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status, and easy to recycle. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Another distinctive property of SCÀ CO 2 is its small linear structure, which increases its permeability. [11] The solubilities of solid solutes in a SCF are a complex phase equilibrium at high pressure.…”

“…Carbon dioxide is considered the most common solvent for SFT applications in the pharmaceutical industries (98 % of applications) [2,6,7] . The most interesting characteristics of SC−CO 2 are their low critical point (31.3 °C, 7.4 MPa), that are easy to reach and to manipulate in an industrial device, [2,6,7] their appeal for heat‐sensitive materials; it is inert, leaves no traces after the process, inexpensive, non‐inflammable, GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status, and easy to recycle [2–10] . Another distinctive property of SC−CO 2 is its small linear structure, which increases its permeability [11]…”