JP2008264784A - Fine channel structure and solvent extraction method using fine channel structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fine channel structure capable of producing fine particles and corresponding to industrial mass production, hardening the fine particles immediately after the production and recovering the fine particles from a medium without collapsing a shape of the produced fine particle and to provide a solvent extraction method using the fine channel structure. <P>SOLUTION: The fine channel structure comprises a fine channel provided with an inlet port and an inlet channel which feed a dispersion phase, an inlet port and an inlet channel which feed a continuous phase and an outlet channel and an outlet port which discharge the fine particles produced by the dispersion phase and the continuous phase, wherein the inlet channel for feeding the dispersion phase and the inlet channel for feeding the continuous phase are joined at an arbitrary angle and the two inlet channels are connected to the outlet channel at the arbitrary angle. Further the solvent extraction method using the fine channel structure are also provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to microcapsules, chemical reaction / solvent extraction used for fine particles and pharmaceuticals, enzyme-containing capsules, cosmetics, perfumes, display / recording materials, adhesives, agricultural chemicals, etc. The present invention relates to a method for producing fine particles used for the above and its use, and also relates to a fine channel structure for producing the fine particles.

  In recent years, a fluid is introduced into a microchannel using a microchannel structure having a microchannel having a length of about several centimeters on a glass substrate of several cm square and a width and depth of sub-μm to several hundred μm. Research that produces chemical reactions or microparticles by doing so has attracted attention. The microparticles here are solid microparticles, microdroplets, microparticles obtained by curing only the surface of microdroplets (hereinafter referred to as “semi-cured”), and extremely high viscosity. Also includes semi-solid fine particles. It has been suggested that such a microchannel can perform an efficient chemical reaction due to the effect of a short intermolecular distance in a microspace and a large specific interface area (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

  In addition, by introducing two types of liquids having different interfacial tensions into the flow path where the intersecting portion exists, it is possible to generate microparticles having extremely uniform particle diameters (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 1). ). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the technique disclosed in Non-Patent Document 2 has a continuous phase inlet (2), a continuous phase inlet channel (3), a dispersed phase on a microchannel substrate (1). A T-shaped microchannel structure having an inlet (4), a dispersed phase introduction channel (5), a discharge channel (7), and a discharge port (8), and the introduced continuous phase and dispersed phase The joining portion (6) exists in a portion where the two join together (hereinafter referred to as “joining portion”). The depth of each channel is 100 μm, the introduction channel width for introducing the dispersed phase is 100 μm, and the introduction channel width for introducing the continuous phase is 300 to 500 μm. When liquid feeding is performed while controlling the flow rate of the continuous phase, extremely uniform fine particles can be generated at the junction. It is also possible to control the particle size of the fine particles generated by controlling the flow rates of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase.

  However, this method uses an introduction channel whose introduction phase width of the continuous phase is 3 to 5 times wider than the introduction channel width of the dispersion phase, and when the dispersion phase and the continuous phase are fed at the same flow rate, Since the linear velocity increases in the introduction flow path of the dispersed phase with a narrow flow path width, the dispersed phase and the continuous phase may become laminar in the flow after the merge portion, and as a result, in the merge portion There was a problem that fine particles could not be generated.

  For this reason, it is necessary to supply the continuous phase excessively. However, in the case of producing fine particles and industrially mass-producing them, the amount of the continuous phase used may be excessive with respect to the amount of the dispersed phase used. There are problems such as cost reduction and reduction of waste liquid amount.

  In addition, with the technique disclosed in Non-Patent Document 2 or Patent Document 1, it is difficult to create composite capsules and multiple capsules, and improvements have been demanded.

  In addition, since the fine particles generated by the technique shown in Non-Patent Document 2 or Patent Document 1 have a relatively small and uniform particle size variation, the compounds forming the fine particles are cross-linked and polymerized. Attempts have been made to use it for fine gel particles having a uniform particle size used for fractionation, separation column packing and the like. However, if the generated microparticles are collected in a beaker or the like outside the microchannel, and the microparticles are cured by cross-linking polymerization or the like, the shape of the microparticles may be lost or collected between the collection and the curing of the microparticles. Since the coalescence of the particles occurs, the variation in the particle size of the cured microparticles becomes large, and it is difficult to separate the microparticles before curing from the medium. .

  In addition, due to the effects of the short intermolecular distance and the large specific interfacial area in the minute space described above, an efficient chemical reaction can be performed, and two types of liquids having different interfacial tensions can be used in the flow path where the intersection exists. Introducing chemical reactions in microchannels and attempts to apply microparticles to industrial production while taking advantage of the characteristics of microspaces that can produce microparticles with extremely uniform particle systems. It has been broken. In this case, due to the small space, the amount of generated per unit time must be reduced in a single microchannel, but if a large number of microchannels can be arranged in parallel, the microstream The generation amount per unit time can be increased while utilizing the characteristics of the road (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3). As shown in Non-Patent Document 3, a micro-channel substrate having one micro-channel may be laminated by connecting vertical portions penetrating common portions such as an inlet of a reaction solution and an outlet of a reaction product. Has been tried. In this way, when performing chemical synthesis or generation of microparticles in large quantities while taking advantage of the characteristics of the microspace, the degree of integration of the microchannels, which is the smallest unit, is increased planarly or stacked three-dimensionally. Although it is said that this is possible, it has been extremely difficult to uniformly distribute the fluid to the microchannels arranged in a plane or three-dimensionally, and improvement has been demanded.

  Further, Non-Patent Document 1 describes that an efficient chemical reaction can be performed without performing a special stirring operation due to the rapid diffusion of molecules due to the effect of a short intermolecular distance and a large specific interfacial area in a minute space. In addition, it is suggested that the subsequent side reaction can be suppressed by quickly extracting and separating the target compound produced by the reaction from the reaction phase to the extraction phase.

  In the above example, as shown in FIG. 2A, an organic phase (12) and an aqueous phase (13) in which raw materials are dissolved are introduced into a Y-shaped microchannel (16), and a Y-shaped junction The reaction and extraction are carried out at the fluid boundary (14) between the organic phase and the aqueous phase formed in (1). In general, there are almost all cases where the Reynolds number is smaller than 1 in a micro-scale flow path, and a laminar flow state as shown in FIG. In addition, since the diffusion time is proportional to the square of the width (9) of the microchannel, the smaller the microchannel width, the more the mixing proceeds due to the diffusion of molecules without active mixing of the reaction solution. Extraction is likely to occur. In general, the larger the specific interface, the better the reaction and extraction. Here, the specific interfacial area means the ratio of the area of the interface to the total volume of the phase when the interface is formed by contacting the phases. In a reaction or extraction, since a substance can move to another phase only through the interface, a large specific interface means that the efficiency of the reaction or extraction is high.

Below, the calculation method of the specific interface area in a microchannel is shown using FIG.2 (b). FIG. 2B is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view in which a part of the combined portion of the Y-shaped flow path in FIG. When the width (9) of the microchannel is W [μm], the unit length (24) of the microchannel is L [μm], and the depth (25) of the microchannel is d [μm], the organic phase ( The total volume of 12) is (W / 2) × d × L [μm ³ ]. The area of the fluid boundary (14) between the aqueous phase and the organic phase is d × L [μm ² ]. Accordingly, the specific interface area is (d × L) / {(W / 2) × d × L} = 2 × 10 ⁴ / W [cm ⁻¹ ], which is related to the length and depth (d) of the microchannel. It can be seen that it is determined only by the width (W) of the microchannel. For example, the specific interface area when the microchannel width is 1000 [μm] is 20 [cm ⁻¹ ], whereas the specific interface area when the microchannel width is 100 [μm] is 200 [cm]. ⁻¹ ]. Therefore, as the width of the microchannel is reduced, the specific interface area is increased and the efficiency of reaction and extraction is improved.

  However, the reaction and extraction efficiencies between laminar flows as shown in FIG. 2 (a) described above are, conversely, shortening the diffusion time and the size of the specific interface area of the fluid boundary, that is, the width of the microchannel. It means that it is restricted by. In other words, the specific interface area between the diffusion time and the fluid boundary is determined by the width of the microchannel used for the reaction and extraction, and the efficiency of the reaction and extraction can be improved beyond the efficiency determined by the width of the microchannel. Can not. In addition, as described above, if the width of the microchannel is reduced, the diffusion time can be further shortened to increase the specific interface area and the efficiency of reaction and extraction can be improved. Since the pressure loss is large and the liquid feeding itself is difficult and impractical, there is a limit to reducing the width of the micro flow path, and improvement has been demanded.

H. Hisamoto et. al. (H. Hisamoto et al.) “Fast and high conversion phase-transfer synthesis exploitation the liquid-liquid interface formed in a microchannel chip”, Chem. Commun. , 2001, 2662-2663. Takashi Nishisako et al., “Liquid microdroplet generation in microchannels”, Proceedings of the 4th Chemistry and Microsystem Study Group, 59 pages, 2001 Kikutani et al., “High-yield microchannel synthesis using pile-up microreactors”, Proceedings of the 3rd Chemistry and Microsystem Research Meeting, 9 pages, 2001 Japanese Patent No. 2975943

  As described above, the first problem of the microparticle generation in the microchannel according to the prior art is that the dispersed phase and the continuous phase are generated when the uniform microparticle is generated at the junction of the continuous phase and the dispersed phase in the microchannel. A laminar flow is formed, and fine particles cannot be generated stably at the junction.

  The second problem is that it is necessary to supply the continuous phase excessively in order to generate fine particles at the junction. For example, the cost of the continuous phase in gel production, industrial mass production, or the generation of fine particles themselves Is difficult.

  The third problem is to enable generation of composite capsules and multiple capsules.

  The fourth problem is that when the generated microparticles are microdroplets, they are collected in a beaker or the like outside the microchannel, and when the microdroplets are cured by crosslinking polymerization or the like, the microdroplets are collected and then cured. By the time, the shape of the microparticles collapses or the microparticles coalesce with each other, resulting in a large variation in the particle size of the cured microparticles. Moreover, it is difficult to separate the fine particles before curing from the medium.

  The fifth problem is that it has been very difficult in the past to uniformly distribute fluid to a plurality of microchannels arranged in a plane or three-dimensionally in the microchannel structure.

  The sixth problem is that the efficiency of reaction and extraction cannot be improved beyond the efficiency determined by the width of the microchannel.

  The object of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and enables generation of microparticles in a microchannel, generation of composite capsules and multiple capsules, and uniform distribution of fluids to a plurality of microchannels. In addition, it can be used for industrial mass production, and the microparticles are cured immediately after the microparticles are generated without breaking the shape of the microchannels, and the microparticles are separated from the medium. An object of the present invention is to provide a microchannel structure that can be used.

  In addition, by using this microchannel structure, the efficiency of extraction in the microchannel can be improved by shortening the diffusion time and determining the size of the specific interface area at the fluid boundary, which is greater than the width of the microchannel. An object of the present invention is to provide a solvent extraction method that improves the efficiency more than the efficiency determined by the width of the microchannel.

  The microchannel structure of the present invention that solves the above problems includes an introduction port and an introduction channel for introducing a dispersed phase, an introduction port and an introduction channel for introducing a continuous phase, a dispersed phase and a continuous phase. A microchannel structure comprising a microchannel having a discharge channel and a discharge port for discharging microparticles generated by the above-described method, and an introduction channel for introducing a dispersed phase And the introduction channel for introducing the continuous phase at an arbitrary angle, and the two introduction channels are connected to the discharge channel at an arbitrary angle. Further, as a mode for producing a large number of microparticles by parallelizing and / or laminating a large number of the microchannels, the system includes an inlet for introducing a fluid and an outlet for discharging the fluid, A microchannel structure having a common channel communicating with the introduction port and the discharge port on the substrate and one or more microchannels communicating with the common channel at positions different from the introduction port and the discharge port The cross-sectional area of the common channel gradually increases from the communication position with the introduction port toward the communication position with the discharge port or is the same as the minute channel structure.

  In addition, the method for producing fine particles of the present invention is generated by an introduction port and an introduction channel for introducing a dispersed phase, an introduction port and an introduction channel for introducing a continuous phase, and the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. A method of generating microparticles using a microchannel structure including a discharge channel and a discharge port for discharging microparticles, mainly in a junction where a dispersed phase and a continuous phase are merged Production of microparticles that transforms the dispersed phase into microparticles by controlling the particle size of the microparticles generated by changing the angle at which the introduction channel for introducing the phase and the introduction channel for introducing the continuous phase intersect Is the method. Furthermore, by using the above microchannel structure, among microparticles, microcapsules and gels can be manufactured.

  Further, after the fluid containing the extraction solvent or the substance to be extracted is made into microdroplets in the microchannel, the phase of the substance to be extracted is between the dispersed phase consisting of the microdroplets and the continuous phase surrounding the microdroplets. It can also be used as a solvent extraction method for performing solvent extraction by movement.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.
<Microparticle production method>
The microchannel used in the present invention generally indicates a channel having a width of 500 μm or less and a depth of 300 μm or less.

  The microparticles in the present invention are microparticles produced by shearing the dispersed phase by a continuous phase in the microchannel, and the microparticle size generally has a diameter that is the width or depth of the microchannel. Smaller than that. For example, the diameter of a microparticle generated in a microchannel having a width of 100 μm and a depth of 50 μm is smaller than 50 μm assuming that the microparticle is a perfect sphere. In addition to the solid microparticles, the microparticles in the present invention include microdroplets, semi-cured microparticles in which only the surface of the microdroplets is cured, and semisolid microparticles with extremely high viscosity. .

  In addition, the dispersed phase used in the present invention is a liquid material for generating microparticles by a microchannel structure, for example, a monomer for polymerization such as styrene, a crosslinking agent such as divinylbenzene, and a polymerization initiator. The medium which melt | dissolved the raw material for gel manufacture, such as in a suitable solvent, is pointed out. Here, as the dispersed phase, the purpose of the present invention is to efficiently generate fine microparticles, and in order to achieve this purpose, the flow path in the microchannel structure can be fed. There is no particular limitation as long as it is fine, and the components are not particularly limited as long as fine particles can be formed. Further, it may be in the form of a slurry in which a solid phase such as a fine powder is mixed in the dispersed phase, or the dispersed phase may be a laminar flow formed from a plurality of fluids. It may be a mixed fluid formed from these fluids or a suspension (emulsion).

  The continuous phase used in the present invention is a liquid material used for generating microparticles from the dispersed phase by the microchannel structure, and for example, a dispersant for gel production such as polyvinyl alcohol is used as an appropriate solvent. Refers to the medium dissolved in Here, as in the case of the dispersed phase, the continuous phase is not particularly limited as long as it can feed the flow path in the micro flow path structure, and the component is not particularly limited as long as micro particles can be formed. Further, it may be a slurry in which a solid material such as a fine powder is mixed in the continuous phase, or the dispersed phase may be a laminar flow formed from a plurality of fluids. It may be a mixed fluid formed from these fluids or a suspension (emulsion). From the viewpoint of the composition of the fine particles to be generated, if the outermost layer of the fine particles is an organic phase, the outermost layer of the continuous phase is an aqueous phase, and if the outermost layer of the fine particles is an aqueous phase, the outermost layer of the continuous phase Becomes the organic phase.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the dispersed phase and the continuous phase do not substantially cross each other or have no compatibility in order to form fine particles. For example, when an aqueous phase is used as the dispersed phase, An organic phase such as butyl acetate, which is substantially insoluble in water, is used. Moreover, the reverse is true when an aqueous phase is used as the continuous phase.

  The method for producing fine particles of the present invention introduces the above-described dispersed phase and continuous phase into the microchannel structure according to the present invention, which will be described later, from the introduction flow path, and the dispersed phase is a continuous phase at the junction where both merge. Particles are generated by shearing to generate fine particles, but by changing the angle at which the introduction flow path for introducing the dispersed phase and the introduction flow path for introducing the continuous phase intersect, Can be controlled. This is easier to control in the production of microparticles using a conventional microchannel structure than in the case of producing by changing the introduction speed of the dispersed phase and the continuous phase, and is suitable for industrial mass production. In particular, if the introduction speed of the dispersed phase and the introduction speed of the continuous phase are substantially the same, it is excellent in terms of cost, for example, it is sufficient to prepare one introduction device. Here, the introduction rate of the dispersed phase and the introduction rate of the continuous phase are substantially the same, which means that even if the introduction rate varies somewhat, the particle size of the generated fine particles is not greatly affected. I mean. By doing so, it is possible to generate fine particles with a stable particle size, and it is not necessary to supply an excessive continuous phase, for example, it is possible to reduce the cost of the continuous phase in gel production and to industrial mass production. Become.

  As a method of merging the continuous phase and the dispersed phase in the present invention, basically, the continuous phase is introduced from the continuous phase inlet (2) of the Y-shaped microchannel as shown in FIG. The dispersed phase is introduced from the introduction port (4), and the dispersed phase is sheared by the continuous phase at the joining portion (6) to generate fine particles (17). However, the present invention is not limited to this method. As shown in FIG. 4, the dispersed phase is joined by bringing the dispersed phase (15) into contact with the continuous phase (10) in the micro flow channel (16). A method of generating fine particles (17) by shearing in the part (6) may be used, or, as shown in FIG. 5, two or more dispersed phases (such as sandwiching the continuous phase (10) between the fine flow paths (16) ( 15) may be brought into contact with each other and the dispersed phase may be a continuous phase and sheared at the joining portion (6) to generate the fine particles (17). As shown in FIG. ), The dispersed phase (15) is introduced from one side, and the continuous phase (16) is introduced from the other side, and the dispersed phase and the continuous phase are merged at the merging portion (6). Generate and discharge in one or more arbitrary directions from the merged position It may be. By doing in this way, microparticles can be generated more efficiently. In the case of the method of FIG. 6, the generated microparticles can be recovered by rejoining the fluid containing the generated microparticles.

  Moreover, as shown to Fig.7 (a)-(g), the continuous phase which introduce | transduces the disperse phase introduction flow path (5) which introduces 1 or a some disperse phase (15), and 1 or a plurality of continuous phases (10). By providing the phase introduction flow path (3), the dispersed phase or the continuous phase can be made into a laminar flow or mixed liquid or suspension (emulsion) of a plurality of fluids. By doing in this way, the microparticle of a multilayer structure and the microparticle containing various different microparticles can be formed, and a composite microcapsule and a multi-microcapsule can be produced | generated. Note that the continuous phase, the dispersed phase, or both may contain fine powder.

  Further, in the present invention, when the microparticles generated at the confluence portion of the microchannel are microdroplets and the microdroplets are cured, they may be cured in the microchannel and / or outside the microchannel. Furthermore, in order to make the particle size of the hardened microparticles uniform, after the microdroplet passes through the discharge channel and exits the discharge unit, the microchannel structure is discharged from the discharge unit to the outside of the microchannel structure. It may be cured continuously in a microchannel provided in the. Furthermore, in order to make the particle size of the hardened microparticles more uniform, it hardens in the microchannel in the microchannel structure, that is, the discharge channel immediately after the microdroplet is generated at the junction of the microchannel. More preferably.

  One of the means for curing the microdroplets in the present invention is to cure by irradiating the microdroplets with light. In this case, the light is cured by using a relatively large number of materials for the microdroplets to be cured. It is preferable that it is ultraviolet rays. As shown in FIG. 8A, the light irradiation (21) may be performed after the micro droplets have exited the micro channel structure from the outlet (8) of the micro channel structure (19). However, in order to make the particle size of the microparticles more uniform, as shown in FIG. 8B, the light irradiation (21) is performed immediately after the microdroplets are generated at the junction (6) of the microchannel. More preferably, curing is performed in the discharge channel (7) in the microchannel structure (19). However, when light irradiation is performed in the discharge channel in the microchannel structure, before the microdroplet is generated, the dispersed phase is not irradiated and cured before the microdroplet is generated. As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the portion of the discharge channel and the portion of the discharge channel that cures the micro droplets by irradiating light are only irradiated with the light irradiation spot (20 It is necessary to install a mask (22) so that

  Another means for curing the microdroplets in the present invention is a method for producing microparticles using a means for curing the microdroplets by heating. As shown in FIG. 9 (a), heating may be performed by a heater (28) or the like after a micro droplet comes out of the micro channel structure from the outlet (8) of the micro channel structure (19). Although it is good, in order to make the particle size of the microparticles more uniform, as shown in FIG. 9B, heating is performed by a heater or the like immediately after the microdroplets are generated at the junction (6) of the microchannel. More preferably, curing is performed in the discharge channel (7) in the microchannel structure. However, when heating is performed in the discharge channel in the microchannel structure, the discharge flow before the microdroplet is generated so that the dispersed phase is not heated and hardened before the microdroplet is generated. The part of the channel and the part of the discharge channel that cures the micro droplets by heating must be thermally insulated by a known heat insulation method such as embedding a heat insulating material in the micro channel structure. is there.

In the present invention, when the microdroplet is cured by light irradiation or heating, the entire microdroplet may be cured. However, by semi-curing, the shape of the microdroplet collapses or You may make it harden to such an extent that unity does not arise. In this case, microparticles having a uniform particle size can be obtained by collecting the semi-cured microparticles with a beaker or the like and completely curing the microparticles again by light irradiation or heating.
In this way, if the microparticles generated at the junction of the microchannel are microdroplets, they are collected in a beaker or the like outside the microchannel and cured by cross-linking polymerization. Since the shape of the microparticles collapses or the microparticles coalesce between the collection and the curing, the particle size of the cured microparticles does not vary greatly and the particle size is uniform. Fine particles can be obtained. Moreover, it becomes easy to separate from the medium by curing the fine droplets.

  As described above, as one of the most preferable embodiments of the method for producing fine particles of the present invention, the dispersed phase is a medium containing a raw material for gel production, and an introduction port and an introduction channel for introducing the dispersed phase, The continuous phase is a medium containing a dispersing agent for gel production, and an introduction port and introduction flow channel for introducing the continuous phase, and a discharge flow channel and discharge for discharging fine particles generated by the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. A method of generating microparticles using a microchannel structure provided with an outlet, wherein a dispersed phase and a continuous phase are merged to form a dispersed phase into microparticles, and an introduction flow for introducing the dispersed phase The particle diameter of the microparticles generated is controlled by changing the angle at which the channel and the introduction channel for introducing the continuous phase intersect, and the microparticles are transmitted in the microchannel and / or outside the microchannel. This is a method of curing by irradiation and / or heating.

In the method for producing microparticles of the present invention, examples of the use of microparticles include packing materials for high performance liquid chromatography columns, adhesives such as seal lock agents, insulating particles of metal particles, pressure measurement films, carbonless (pressure sensitive) Copy) paper, toner, thermal expansion agent, heat medium, light control glass, gap agent (spacer), thermochromic (thermosensitive liquid crystal, thermosensitive dye), magnetophoresis capsule, pesticide, artificial feed, artificial seed, fragrance, Examples include microcapsules and gels such as massage creams, lipsticks, vitamin capsules, activated carbon, enzyme-containing capsules, and DDS (drug delivery system).
<Microchannel structure>
The microchannel structure of the present invention includes an introduction port and an introduction channel for introducing a dispersed phase, an introduction port and an introduction channel for introducing a continuous phase, and a microscopic structure generated by the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. A micro-channel structure comprising a micro-channel having a discharge channel and a discharge port for discharging particles, and introducing an introduction channel and a continuous phase for introducing a dispersed phase A microchannel structure characterized in that the two introduction channels intersect with the discharge channel at an arbitrary angle while intersecting with the introduction channel at an arbitrary angle. As an example, a microchannel structure as shown in FIGS. Needless to say, the microchannel structure of the present invention is not limited to the examples of FIGS. 3 to 7 and can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. Further, in the microchannel structure according to the present invention, the aspect ratio (ratio of channel depth / width) of the channel cross section of the microchannel structure of the present invention is 0.30 or more and less than 3.0. is there.

  Here, the introduction port for introducing the dispersed phase means an opening for introducing the dispersed phase, and a mechanism for continuously introducing the dispersed phase by providing an appropriate attachment at the introduction port. Similarly, the introduction port for introducing the continuous phase also means an opening for introducing the continuous phase, and further, as a mechanism for continuously introducing the continuous phase with an appropriate attachment at the introduction port. Good.

  The introduction flow path for introducing the dispersed phase communicates with the introduction port, and the dispersed phase is introduced and fed along the introduction flow path. The shape of the introduction channel affects the shape and particle size of the fine particles, but the width is about 300 μm or less, and it may be a shape that joins at an arbitrary angle including the discharge channel. Similarly, the introduction flow path for introducing the continuous phase is also in communication with the introduction port, and the continuous phase is introduced and fed along this introduction flow path. The shape of the introduction channel affects the shape and particle size of the fine particles, but the width is about 300 μm or less, and it may be a shape that joins at an arbitrary angle including the discharge channel.

  The discharge channel communicates with the above two introduction channels and the discharge port, and after the dispersed phase and the continuous phase merge, the liquid is fed along the discharge channel and discharged from the discharge port. The shape of the discharge channel is not particularly limited, but the width is about 300 μm or less, and it may be a shape that joins at an arbitrary angle including the introduction channel. Moreover, the discharge flow path may be two or more discharge flow paths separated from the merging portion at an arbitrary angle. The discharge port means an opening for discharging the generated microparticles, and may be a mechanism for continuously discharging the phase including the generated microparticles by providing an appropriate attachment to the discharge port. . Note that these channels are sometimes referred to as minute channels in this specification.

  Furthermore, in the microchannel structure of the present invention, the introduction channel for introducing the dispersed phase and the introduction channel for introducing the continuous phase intersect at an arbitrary angle, and these introduction channels are optional. It is preferable that the structure is connected to the discharge channel at an angle of. By setting the angle at which the two introduction channels intersect to be an arbitrary angle, it is possible to control the microparticles generated at the merging portion to a desired particle size. What is necessary is just to determine suitably about the setting of a crossing angle according to the particle size of the target fine particle.

  As the cross-sectional shape of the introduction flow path and the discharge flow path, the aspect ratio of the flow path cross section is preferably 0.30 or more and less than 3.0. If the aspect ratio is within this range, uniform fine particles can be generated at the junction. If the aspect ratio deviates from this range and is less than 0.30 or 3.0 or more, it may be difficult to produce uniform fine particles.

  Further, when the width and depth of the introduction flow path for introducing the dispersed phase and the introduction flow path for introducing the continuous phase are equal, in addition to the above effects, the design of the micro flow path structure is facilitated, Moreover, the control at the time of liquid feeding becomes easier, and it is suitable for industrial mass production.

  Further, in the relationship between the width of the introduction flow path and the width of the discharge flow path, if the width of the introduction flow path ≧ the width of the discharge flow path, the liquid feed speed is larger than the width of the introduction flow path <the width of the discharge flow path. Even if it is increased, it is possible to produce uniform fine particles at the confluence, and it is possible to increase the production speed of the fine particles, which is a preferred embodiment.

  As for the width of the discharge channel, it is preferable that the width of the discharge channel is narrow at a part of the discharge channel from the intersection where the dispersed phase and the continuous phase intersect to the discharge port. That is, a part of the flow path to the discharge port of the microparticles is narrowed at the junction of the introduction flow path and the discharge flow path, or the flow path configuration wall along the dispersed phase flow path is formed in a convex shape. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 32 (a) to 32 (e), by forming one or more protrusions from one or more of the bottom, top and side surfaces of the flow path, the liquid feeding speed can be increased. In addition, it is possible to generate uniform fine particles at the junction, and to reduce the increase in the liquid feeding pressure, which is a preferable mode.

  Further, the portion where the width of the discharge channel is narrow is preferably at or near the intersection in the discharge channel. In particular, the portion where the width of the discharge channel is narrow is the discharge channel. It is preferable to be on the introduction flow path side of the dispersed phase at the crossing portion.

  In addition, the microchannel structure of the present invention can industrially generate a large amount of microparticles by arranging a plurality of microchannels planarly or three-dimensionally in the microchannel structure. However, it is necessary to uniformly distribute the fluid to a plurality of microchannels arranged in a plane or three-dimensionally. For this reason, the microchannel structure according to the present invention includes an inlet for introducing a fluid and an outlet for discharging the fluid, and a common channel communicating with the inlet and the outlet on the substrate; A microchannel structure having a microchannel that communicates with a common channel at a position different from the introduction port and the discharge port, wherein the cross-sectional area of the common channel is greater than the communication port with the discharge port. It is preferable that the size gradually increases or becomes the same toward the communication position.

  The most basic conceptual diagram of the microchannel structure is shown in FIG. A common channel introduction port (32) for introducing fluid to both ends of the common channel (29) and a common channel discharge port (31) for discharging fluid are provided, and the common channel introduction port and the common channel are provided. A minute channel (16) having a smaller inner diameter (channel width) than the common channel was disposed on the substrate between the discharge ports. Generally, the inner diameter of the microchannel is about several tens to 300 μm. On the other hand, it is desirable that the common channel has an inner diameter of about 500 μm to several mm. The inner diameter of the flow path connecting the common flow path inlet and the common flow path is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 500 μm to several mm as with the common flow path. The inner diameter of the flow path connecting the common flow path outlet and the common flow path is not particularly limited, but is preferably about several tens to 300 μm as in the case of the micro flow path.

The arrangement of the micro channels is not particularly limited as long as the micro channels are communicated with the common channel at a position different from the common channel introduction port and the common channel discharge port. If we can show point More specifically, FIG. As shown in 10, common channel common channel n the microchannel to the nearest fine channel Y _n at the outlet from the fine channel Y ₁ is closest to the inlet In the common channel of the microchannel structure in which the channel communicates with the common channel, the communication position with the common channel introduction port is X ₀ , and the communication position of the minute channel Y ₁ closest to the common channel introduction port is X ₁ , the length along the common flow path between the communication position X ₀ and the communication position X ₁ is a ₁ , the communication position with the common flow path discharge port is X _{n + 1} , and the minute flow closest to the common flow path discharge port when road Y _n a communicating position X _{n, and} the length along the common flow path between the communicating position X _n and the communication position X _{n + 1} was a _{n + 1,} uniform fine channel from Y ₁ to Y _n the fluid can be a distribution, in order to be able to further perform the generation of fine droplets efficient, equal a _n all from a ₂ It is preferred to become disposed. Furthermore, this effect can be further improved by making all of a _{1 to} a _{n + 1} equal.

  In addition, such a microchannel structure may have a structure in which a plurality of common channels are provided on the substrate and each common channel communicates with the microchannels.

  FIGS. 11-14 show conceptual diagrams of several forms of the present invention. Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to these forms and can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the gist of the invention.

  FIG. 11 shows an example in which the inner diameter of the common channel (19) gradually increases from the common channel introduction port (32) toward the common channel discharge port (31). In this case, the inner diameter (indicated by b) of the common channel near the common channel inlet is about 500 μm to 1 mm, and the inner diameter (indicated by c) of the common channel near the common channel outlet is several mm. Degree.

Figure 12 is an example in which are merged in a Y-shape pull from the common flow channel two (29) minute channel represented by Y ₁ and Y _n (16). Using the microchannel structure shown in FIG. 12, a continuous phase and a dispersed phase used in the method for producing microparticles of the present invention are introduced into two common channels, respectively. The continuous phase and the dispersed phase can be evenly distributed in the channel, and microdroplets with an extremely uniform particle system can be generated under the same conditions in all the microchannels. This form is effective when a large number of microchannels are integrated in a plane when the microchannel substrate is a square substrate.

FIG. 13 shows an example in which common channels (29) are arranged in an arc shape. In this case, the microchannels (16) were arranged radially at an equal angle d from the center of the arc. This form is effective when a large number of microchannels are integrated in a plane when the microchannel substrate is a disk-shaped substrate. In this case, as in FIG. 10, the communication position with the common flow path introduction port (32) is X ₀ , the communication position of the minute flow path Y ₁ closest to the common flow path introduction port is X ₁ , and the communication position X _0. and when the common flow path lengths along between the communicating position X ₁ and the like a _1, and a _{1 ~a} n + 1, it means a length along the center of the arc-shaped common channel.

  FIG. 14 shows an example in which the micro-channel substrate (1) having the micro-channel (16) is overlapped and the common channel (29) is configured to penetrate the micro-channel substrate. This form is effective when stacking microchannel substrates and stacking a large number of microchannels three-dimensionally. The size of the inner diameter of the through hole may gradually increase from the fluid common flow path introduction port (32) toward the fluid common flow path discharge port (31) as in FIG.

  In various forms of the present invention shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, the fluid is generally introduced into the common channel introduction port (32) using a liquid feed pump such as a syringe pump, but is arranged in the common channel. The fluid discharged from the common channel outlet (31) thus collected can be recovered and returned again to the liquid feed pump, that is, the liquid can be fed again. That is, each of the plurality of common channels communicates with the micro channel, A structure may be adopted in which the fluid discharged from the channel discharge port is returned to each common flow channel introduction port. By doing so, the continuous phase and / or the dispersed phase to be introduced can be used without waste. Further, it is preferable to introduce a dispersed phase into at least one common channel and introduce a continuous phase into another common channel and discharge it.

  The microchannel structure of the present invention has the above-described structure and performance, but includes an introduction part and an introduction channel for introducing a dispersed phase and a continuous phase, and a junction part where the introduction channel intersects. And a micro-channel structure having a discharge channel and a discharge port for discharging a liquid so as to cover a substrate on which at least one surface is formed with a micro-channel and a substrate surface on which the micro-channel is formed In addition, a cover body in which a small channel for communicating the microchannel and the outside of the microchannel structure is disposed at a predetermined position of the microchannel may be laminated and integrated. As a result, the fluid can be introduced from the outside of the microchannel structure into the microchannel and discharged again to the outside of the microchannel structure. It is possible to pass through the minute flow path. Fluid feeding is possible by mechanical means such as a micropump.

  As the material of the substrate and the cover body on which the microchannel is formed, it is desirable that the microchannel can be formed, has excellent chemical resistance, and has an appropriate rigidity. For example, glass, quartz, ceramic, silicon, or metal or resin may be used. The size and shape of the substrate and cover body are not particularly limited, but the thickness is preferably about several mm or less. The small holes arranged in the cover body communicate with the microchannel and the outside of the microchannel structure, and when used as a fluid inlet or outlet, the diameter is preferably, for example, several mm or less. The small holes in the cover body can be processed chemically, mechanically, or by various means such as laser irradiation or ion etching.

In the microchannel structure of the present invention, the substrate on which the microchannels are formed and the cover body are laminated and integrated by means such as heat bonding or adhesion using an adhesive such as a photo-curing resin or a thermosetting resin. be able to.
<Solvent extraction method using microchannel structure>
By using the microchannel structure according to the present invention, the fluid containing the extraction solvent or the substance to be extracted is converted into microdroplets in the microchannel, and then the dispersed phase composed of microdroplets and the continuous phase surrounding the microdroplets Use as a solvent extraction method in which solvent extraction is performed by phase transfer of a substance to be extracted between the two.

  In the solvent extraction method of the present invention, either the extraction solvent or the fluid containing the substance to be extracted can be arbitrarily selected as a dispersed phase and the other as a continuous phase. Here, the substance to be extracted indicates a substance to be extracted, and the fluid containing the substance to be extracted means a liquid in which the substance to be extracted is dissolved. The extraction solvent means a liquid for extracting the substance to be extracted from the fluid containing the substance to be extracted. It is desired that the substance to be extracted can be dissolved and the solubility in the substance to be extracted is higher than that of the fluid containing the substance to be extracted. Solvent extraction means that the substance to be extracted moves from the fluid containing the substance to be extracted to the extraction solvent by phase transfer, and phase transfer means movement from the phase of the fluid containing the substance to be extracted to the phase of the extraction solvent. Means.

  In the present invention, either the extraction solvent or the fluid containing the substance to be extracted can be arbitrarily selected as a dispersed phase and the other as a continuous phase. The size of the microdroplet is generally smaller in diameter than the width or depth of the microchannel. For example, the size of a droplet generated in a microchannel having a width of 100 μm and a depth of 50 μm has a diameter smaller than 50 μm assuming that the droplet is a perfect sphere.

  This solvent extraction method determines the extraction efficiency in the microchannel by the width of the microchannel by shortening the diffusion time more than that determined by the width of the microchannel and the size of the specific interface area of the fluid boundary The improvement beyond the efficiency achieved will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the diameter (33) of the spherical microdroplet is D [μm], the total volume of the microdroplet is (4π / 3) × (D / 2) ³ [μm ³ ]. The surface area of the microdroplet is 4π × (D / 2) ² [μm ² ]. Therefore, the specific interface area between the microdroplet (34) and the surrounding medium is {4π × (D / 2) ² } / {(4π / 3) × (D / 2) ³ } = 6 × 10 ^4. / D [cm ⁻¹ ]. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, the specific interface area of the fluid boundary (14) formed in the microchannel (16) is 2 × 10 ⁴ / W [cm ⁻¹ ]. In general, the diameter D of the microdroplet formed by the microchannel is smaller than the width (9) W of the microchannel, so that D <W. Therefore, if the microdroplet is generated in the microchannel, The specific interfacial area is simply larger than the specific interfacial area of the fluid boundary formed by the microchannel, and the diffusion time between the microdroplet and the surrounding solvent also simply forms a laminar flow in the microchannel. It becomes shorter than the diffusion time. Therefore, if microdroplets of fluid containing extraction solvent or substance to be extracted are formed in the microchannel, the diffusion time can be shortened and the specific interface area of the fluid boundary can be reduced more than determined by the width of the microchannel. Thus, the extraction efficiency in the microchannel can be improved more than the efficiency determined by the width of the microchannel.

  The target to be microdroplet may be an extraction solvent or a fluid containing the substance to be extracted, but by selectively making either one into microdroplets, the extraction phase can be further separated after extraction. An object to be formed into microdroplets can be selected in accordance with an easy mode. In the method for producing microparticles of the present invention, microfluidization is achieved by appropriately controlling the flow rates of the respective fluids to be combined, or by changing the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the inner wall of the microchannel by a method known per se. The target can be selected as the extraction solvent or the fluid containing the substance to be extracted, and the target to be microdroplet can be selected in accordance with the state in which the extraction phase is more easily separated after extraction. The diameter of the microdroplet can be controlled by adjusting the flow velocity, the angle at which the microchannel meets, the width and depth of the microchannel, or a combination of these. It can be controlled accurately.

  In the solvent extraction method of the present invention, the substance to be extracted is a product obtained by chemically reacting two or more fluids, and the fluid containing the substance to be extracted contains two or more fluids containing raw materials separately. It may be a fluid obtained by being introduced into and brought into contact with the flow path. By doing in this way, the product obtained by reacting in the microchannel can be quickly solvent-extracted immediately after production, and side reactions can be suppressed and equilibrium reactions can be controlled. .

  In FIG. 16, the fluid containing the substance to be extracted introduces the fluid A (35) and the fluid B (36) having raw materials separately into the microchannel (16) and mixes them in the reaction phase (37) in the microchannel. It is the figure which showed the concept in case it is the fluid made to react. In the example of FIG. 16, the fluid containing the substance to be extracted was the continuous phase (10), and the extraction solvent (38) was the dispersed phase (15).

  In addition, the solvent extraction method of the present invention introduces a substance to be extracted obtained by bringing two or more fluids containing raw materials and an extraction solvent separately into a microchannel and bringing two or more fluids containing raw materials into contact with each other. In the method of extracting into the extraction solvent phase, two or more fluids containing the raw material form a laminar flow, and a substance to be extracted is generated at the fluid boundary, and the extraction solvent is two or more fluids containing the raw material. A droplet may be formed on the fluid boundary by being sheared at the junction, and the generated substance to be extracted may be extracted into droplets of the extraction solvent. By doing in this way, solvents other than the solvent currently used for the reaction system can be introduced as an extraction solvent, for example, a solvent with higher product extraction efficiency can be used as an extraction solvent. In addition, since the product produced by the reaction that occurs at the fluid boundary can be quickly extracted from the solvent immediately after the production, side reactions can be suppressed and the equilibrium reaction can be controlled.

  FIG. 17 shows that in a microchannel (16) for obtaining a product by a reaction occurring at a fluid boundary (14), fluid A (35) and fluid B (36) having raw materials are continuous phases (10). It is the figure which showed the concept which extracts the product produced | generated in the fluid boundary by forming the micro droplet (34) in a fluid boundary by shearing the extraction solvent (38) in a fluid boundary by a continuous phase.

  In addition, the solvent extraction method as a use of the microparticles of the present invention is such that, after performing solvent extraction in the microchannel, the continuous phase and the dispersed phase can be separated by curing at least the surface of the microdroplet. good. In this way, the dispersed phase of the microdroplet and the continuous phase surrounding the microdroplet can be more easily separated, and the extraction solvent and the fluid containing the substance to be extracted can be easily separated. Can do.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the fluid containing the substance to be extracted is made into fine droplets to form a dispersed phase (15), and the substance to be extracted is extracted into the extraction solvent (38) which is the continuous phase (10) by phase transfer ( 39), if the microparticles (17) are formed by curing at least the surface of the microdroplets (34) by light irradiation (21) with ultraviolet rays, the liquid phase of the continuous phase and the solid phase of the microparticles are formed. Can be easily separated using a technique such as filtration, and the substance to be extracted can be easily recovered. In the example of FIG. 18, a liquid that is cured by ultraviolet irradiation is selected as the fluid containing the substance to be extracted as the dispersed phase.

  Conversely, as shown in FIG. 19, the fluid containing the substance to be extracted is made into a continuous phase (10), and the substance to be extracted is transferred to the extraction solvent (38) made into fine droplets into a dispersed phase (15) by phase transfer. After the extraction (39), if the microparticles (17) are formed by curing at least the surface of the microdroplets (34) by ultraviolet irradiation, the liquid phase of the continuous phase and the solid phase of the microparticles are similarly formed. It can be easily separated using a technique such as filtration. In this case, the surface having the substance to be extracted is hardened, and the surface of the microparticles is divided by any method such as chemical or mechanical to extract the substance to be extracted existing inside the microparticles. In the example of FIG. 19, the extraction solvent as the dispersed phase can be selected from a liquid that is cured by ultraviolet irradiation.

  In the examples of FIGS. 18 and 19, the means for curing the surface of the microdroplet is an ultraviolet irradiation, but in addition to the ultraviolet irradiation, crosslinking or polymerization may be performed by heating or chemical reaction as shown in FIG. The selection may be made according to the material of the dispersed phase to be cured.

  The method for producing microparticles of the present invention introduces a dispersed phase and a continuous phase into a microchannel structure having a microchannel from the introduction channel, and shears the dispersed phase with the continuous phase at the junction where the two merge to form a microparticle. Controls the particle size of the fine particles to be generated by changing the angle at which the introduction flow path for introducing the dispersed phase and the introduction flow path for introducing the continuous phase intersect. Is possible. This is easier to control in the production of microparticles using conventional microchannel structures than in the case of changing the introduction speed of the dispersed phase and continuous phase, and is suitable for industrial mass production. In particular, if the introduction speed of the dispersed phase and the introduction speed of the continuous phase are substantially the same, it is excellent in terms of cost, for example, it is sufficient to prepare one introduction device. Accordingly, the production of fine particles having a stable particle size by the method for producing fine particles of the present invention eliminates the need to supply an excessive continuous phase, for example, lowering the cost of the continuous phase in gel production, and industrial mass production. Is possible.

  Further, by providing an introduction flow path for introducing a plurality of dispersed phases and / or continuous phases, the dispersed phases and / or continuous phases may be made into a laminar flow of a plurality of fluids, or a mixed solution or suspension (emulsion). In this way, microparticles having a multilayer structure or microparticles containing various kinds of microparticles can be formed, and composite microcapsules and multiple microcapsules can be generated.

In addition, when the microparticles generated at the merging part of the microchannel are microdroplets that harden the microdroplets, the microdroplets pass through the discharge channel to make the cured microparticles uniform in particle size. Then, after exiting the discharge section, the microchannel structure may be continuously and sequentially cured from the discharge section of the microchannel structure to the microchannel provided outside the microchannel structure, and the particles of hardened microparticles may be further cured. In order to make the diameter more uniform, the microchannels in the microchannel structure, that is, the discharge channel may be cured immediately after the microdroplets are generated at the confluence portion of the microchannels. Therefore, if the microparticles generated at the junction of the microchannel are microdroplets, they are collected in a beaker etc. outside the microchannel, and when the microdroplets are cured by cross-linking polymerization, the microdroplets are collected. From the time it is cured to the shape of the microparticles or the coalescence of the microparticles Because, there is no the variation of the particle diameter of the cured microparticles is large, it is possible particle size to obtain a uniform fine particles. Moreover, it becomes easy to separate from the medium by curing the fine droplets.
Further, as a mode for producing a large number of microparticles by parallelizing and / or laminating a large number of the microchannels, the system includes an inlet for introducing a fluid and an outlet for discharging the fluid, A microchannel structure having a common channel communicating with the introduction port and the discharge port on the substrate and one or more microchannels communicating with the common channel at positions different from the introduction port and the discharge port The cross-sectional area of the common flow path is gradually increased from the communication position with the introduction port toward the communication position with the discharge port, or a micro flow channel structure having the same flow path structure. It is possible to uniformly distribute the fluid to a plurality of microchannels arranged in a plane or three-dimensionally.

  Examples of the use of the fine particles produced by the method for producing fine particles of the present invention include adhesives such as a column for high performance liquid chromatography, seal lock agent, insulating particles of metal particles, pressure measurement film, Carbon (pressure sensitive copying) paper, toner, thermal expansion agent, heat medium, light control glass, gap agent (spacer), thermochromic (thermosensitive liquid crystal, thermosensitive dye), magnetophoresis capsule, pesticide, artificial feed, artificial seed , Aromatic capsules, massage creams, lipsticks, vitamin capsules, activated carbon, enzyme-containing capsules, DDS (drug delivery system) and other microcapsules and gels.

  In addition, the solvent extraction method using the microchannel structure of the present invention uses the microparticles for solvent extraction in the microchannel, whereby the efficiency of the reaction and extraction is determined by the width of the microchannel. This can be improved.

  Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described, and the embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail. It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the following examples and can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Example 1
FIG. 20 shows a microchannel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The microchannel is a Pyrex (registered trademark) glass having a size of 70 mm × 20 mm × 1 t (thickness), a continuous phase introduction channel (2) corresponding to the microchannel, a dispersed phase introduction channel (4), and a discharge channel. The widths of (7) are 220 μm, the depth is 80 μm, the aspect ratio of the microchannel is 0.36, the length of the discharge channel is 30 mm, the continuous phase introduction channel (3) and the dispersed phase introduction channel ( One Y-shaped flow path having a merging portion that intersects 5) with an angle of 44 ° was formed. Although the width and depth of the microchannel depend on the particle size of the microparticles to be generated, it is sufficient that the aspect ratio of the microchannel does not deviate from the range of 0.30 or more and less than 3.0.
As shown in FIG. 21, in the microchannel structure having the microchannel, the microchannel is formed on one surface of a glass substrate having a thickness of 1 mm and 70 mm × 20 mm by general photolithography and wet etching. Then, a small hole having a diameter of 0.6 mm is mechanically provided in a position corresponding to the inlet (11) and the outlet (8) of the microchannel on the surface of the glass substrate on which the microchannel is formed. A glass cover body (30) having a thickness of 1 mm and a thickness of 70 mm × 20 mm provided using the processing means was manufactured by thermal bonding. The manufacturing method and the substrate material are not limited to this.

  Next, the method for producing fine particles of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 22, a holder (23) or the like is used so that liquid can be fed to the microchannel structure (19), and the Teflon (registered trademark) tube (27) and fillet joint (40) are held in the holder. To fix. The other end of the Teflon tube is connected to the microsyringe (42). Thus, liquid can be fed to the microchannel structure. Next, a mixed solution of divinylbenzene and butyl acetate is injected into the dispersed phase for generating fine particles, and a 3% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol is injected into each microsyringe as the continuous phase, and the solution is fed by the microsyringe pump (41). It was. The liquid feeding speed is 20 μl / min for both the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. Formation of microparticles as shown in FIG. 23 was observed at the junction where the dispersed phase and the continuous phase of the microchannel structure intersect in a state where both the liquid feeding speeds were stable. When the generated fine particles were observed, as shown in FIG. 24, the average particle size was 200 μm, and the CV value (%) indicating the degree of dispersion of the particle size was 9.8%, which was extremely uniform fine particles (17). When the liquid feeding speed is 1 μl / min for both the dispersed phase and the continuous phase, the average particle size of the generated fine particles is 230 μm, and the CV value (%) indicating the degree of dispersion of the particle size is 9.5%. It was very uniform fine particles. Thereby, since the disperse phase and the continuous phase are performed at the same liquid feeding speed, uniform fine particles can be generated without excessively feeding the continuous phase.

(Example 2)
FIG. 25 shows a microchannel according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The microchannel is a Pyrex (registered trademark) glass having a size of 70 mm × 40 mm × 1 t (thickness), a continuous phase introduction channel (3) corresponding to the microchannel, a dispersed phase introduction channel (5), and a discharge channel. The widths of (7) are all 185 m, the depth is 75 μm, the aspect ratio of the micro-channel is 0.41, the length of the discharge channel (7) is 30 mm, the continuous-phase introduction channel and the dispersed-phase introduction channel Two Y-shaped flow paths having merging portions that intersect at an angle of 22 ° and 44 ° were formed. Although the width and depth of the microchannel depend on the particle size of the microparticles to be generated, it is sufficient that the aspect ratio of the microchannel does not deviate from the range of 0.30 or more and less than 3.0. The microchannel structure having the microchannel was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1.

  Next, the microchannel structure is held by a holder, and a mixed solution of monomer (styrene), divinylbenzene, butyl acetate and benzoyl peroxide is added to the dispersed phase for producing microparticles in the same manner as in Example 1. Inject a 3% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol into the microsyringe in the continuous phase, feed the solution with a microsyringe pump, and compare the crossing angle between the continuous phase introduction channel and the dispersed phase introduction channel at 44 ° and 22 °. went. The liquid feeding speed is 20 μl / min for both the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. Formation of microparticles was observed at the junction where the dispersed phase and continuous phase of the microchannel structure intersect, with both flow rates stabilized. When the generated fine particles are observed, the average particle diameter is 180 μm when the joining portion intersects at an angle of 22 °, and the CV value (%) indicating the degree of dispersion of the particle size is 8.7%. The particle size was 160 μm, and the CV value (%) indicating the degree of dispersion of the particle size was 9.2%. In addition, when the liquid feeding speed is 5 μl / min for both the dispersed phase and the continuous phase, the generated fine particles are observed. When the joining portion intersects at 22 °, the average particle size is 250 μm, and the dispersion degree of the particle size is The CV value (%) shown is 9.4%, the average particle size is 220 μm at 44 °, the CV value (%) showing the degree of dispersion of the particle size is 8.5%, and the angle of the joining portion is 22 In contrast to the case of °, the particle size is 0.89 times when the angle of the confluence is 44 °. As a result, the width and depth of the introduction flow path are constant, and the particle size can be reduced by changing only the angle of the merging portion of the introduction flow path without changing the conditions of the liquid feeding speed of the dispersed phase and continuous phase to be introduced. Control becomes possible.

(Comparative Example 1)
FIG. 26 shows a microchannel in Comparative Example 1. The micro-channel has a width of continuous phase introduction channel (3), dispersed phase introduction channel (5) and discharge channel (7) on Pyrex (registered trademark) glass of 70 mm × 20 mm × 1 t (thickness). All are 130 μm, depth 35 μm, microchannel aspect ratio = 0.27, discharge channel length is 30 mm, and continuous phase introduction channel and dispersed phase introduction channel meet at an angle of 44 °. One Y-shaped channel having a portion was formed. This microchannel structure was produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

  Next, the microchannel structure is held by a holder, and a mixed solution of divinylbenzene and butyl acetate is used as a dispersed phase for generating microparticles in the same manner as in Example 1, and a 3% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol is used as a continuous phase. The solution was injected into a microsyringe and fed. The liquid feeding speed is 5 μl / min for both the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. While the flow velocity is stable, observing the junction where the dispersed phase and continuous phase of the microchannel structure intersect, the generation of microparticles can be confirmed, but separation and coalescence occur in the discharge channel and are generated. When the fine particles were observed, the CV value (%) indicating the degree of dispersion of the particle size was 36.5%, indicating that the fine particles had poor dispersibility. In the case of producing fine particles having good dispersibility with the microchannel structure having this aspect ratio, the liquid feeding speed is set to continuous phase> dispersed phase, specifically, a flow rate ratio of 5: 1 or more is given. The continuous phase needs to be sent in excess.

(Example 3)
FIG. 27 (a) shows a microchannel according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The microchannel is a Pyrex (registered trademark) glass having a size of 70 mm × 40 mm × 1 t (thickness), a continuous phase introduction channel (3) corresponding to the microchannel, a dispersed phase introduction channel (5), and a discharge channel. The width of (7) is 146 μm, the depth is 55 μm, the aspect ratio of the microchannel is 0.38, the length of the discharge channel is 30 mm, and the continuous phase introduction channel and the dispersed phase introduction channel are 44 °. And a part of the discharge channel width as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 27B is formed in a projection at the junction of the dispersed phase introduction channel and the discharge channel. A Y-shaped channel was formed. Although the width and depth of the microchannel depend on the particle size of the microparticles to be generated, it is sufficient that the aspect ratio of the microchannel does not deviate from the range of 0.30 or more and less than 3.0. In addition, the size of the protrusion may be adjusted as appropriate depending on the particle size of the microparticles and the pumping ability with respect to the introduction flow path internal pressure, but this time, the KK ′ width shown in FIG. The microchannel structure having this microchannel was produced by the same method as in Example 1.

Next, the microchannel structure is held by a holder, and a mixed solution of divinylbenzene and butyl acetate is used as a dispersed phase for generating microparticles in the same manner as in Example 1, and a 3% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol is used as a continuous phase. Injected into a microsyringe and fed with a microsyringe pump, in the crossing portion of the continuous phase introduction flow path, the dispersed phase introduction flow path, and the discharge flow path in the flow path having no protrusion shown in FIG. A comparison was made. The liquid feeding speed is the same for both the dispersed phase and the continuous phase, and the flow rate at which microparticles can be generated is measured. The flow rate at which microparticles can be generated in the microchannel structure having protrusions is 10 μl / min. In the microchannel structure having no projection as shown in (c), it was 8 μl / min.
When observing the microparticles generated by the microchannel structure having protrusions, the average particle diameter is 110 μm, and the CV value (%) indicating the dispersion degree of the particle diameter is 6.3%. Has been obtained. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain a good degree of dispersion and to increase the amount of fine particles generated by providing protrusions in the discharge channel.

Example 4
FIG. 28 shows a microchannel according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The microchannels are on Pyrex (registered trademark) glass of 70 mm × 20 mm × 1 t (thickness), two continuous phase introduction channels (3) corresponding to the microchannels, and one dispersed phase introduction channel ( 5) The width of the discharge channel (7) is 140 μm, the depth is 60 μm, the aspect ratio of the micro channel is 0.43, the length of the discharge channel is 30 mm, and the continuous phase introduction channel and the dispersed phase introduction One channel having a confluence portion that intersects with each other at an angle of 22 ° was formed so that the two channels were sandwiched by two continuous phase introduction channels. Although the width and depth of the microchannel depend on the particle size of the microparticles to be generated, it is sufficient that the aspect ratio of the microchannel does not deviate from the range of 0.30 or more and less than 3.0. This microchannel structure was produced by the same method as in Example 1.

  Next, the microchannel structure is held with a holder in the same manner as in Example 1, and a mixed solution of divinylbenzene and butyl acetate is added to the dispersed phase for generating microparticles in the same manner as in Example 1, and the continuous phase A 3% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol was poured into a microsyringe and fed with a microsyringe pump. The dispersed phase was introduced from the central dispersed phase introduction channel, and the continuous phase was introduced from the continuous phase introduction channel on both sides of the dispersed phase introduction channel. The liquid feeding speed is 6 μl / min for both the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. Formation of microparticles was observed at the junction where the dispersed phase and continuous phase of the microchannel structure for manufacturing microparticles intersect, with both the liquid feeding speeds being stable. When the generated fine particles were observed, the average particle diameter was 77 μm, and the CV value (%) indicating the degree of dispersion of the particle diameter was 7.0%, which were extremely uniform fine particles.

(Example 5)
As a fifth example, a microchannel structure having four channels as shown in FIG. 29 was manufactured. The formed microchannel (16) has a width of 100 μm and a depth of 40 μm, and is connected to the fluid inlet A (43), the fluid inlet B (44), the fluid inlet C (45), and the fluid inlet. The laminar flow channel (46) and the microchannel connected to the laminar flow channel were joined at an angle of 44 °. A microchannel structure having this microchannel was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1. A mixed solution of divinylbenzene and butyl acetate in the organic phase is fed as a dispersed phase from the fluid inlet A of this microchannel, and a 3% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol in the aqueous phase is fed from the fluid inlet B. From the introduction port C, a 3% aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution in an aqueous phase was fed as a continuous phase. The liquid feeding was performed by injecting a fluid into the microsyringe in the same manner as in Example 1 and using a microsyringe pump. The liquid feeding speed was 5 μl / min from the fluid inlet A and fluid inlet B, and 10 μl / min from the fluid inlet C. A laminar flow was observed from the laminar flow joining portion (47) of the fluid introduction port A and the fluid introduction port B to the joining portion (6) in a state where both the liquid feeding speeds were stable. Moreover, the production | generation of the microparticle was confirmed in the continuous phase merge part. When the produced fine particles were observed, the average particle size was 110 μm, and the CV value (%) indicating the degree of dispersion of the particle size was 8.2%, indicating uniform fine particles.

(Example 6)
FIG. 20 shows a microchannel according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The microchannel is a Pyrex (registered trademark) glass having a size of 70 mm × 20 mm × 1 t (thickness), a continuous phase introduction channel (3) corresponding to the microchannel, a dispersed phase introduction channel (5), and a discharge channel. The width of (7) is 220 μm, the depth is 80 μm, the aspect ratio of the microchannel is 0.36, the length of the discharge channel is 30 mm, and the continuous phase introduction channel and the dispersed phase introduction channel are 44 °. One Y-shaped flow path having a merging portion intersecting at an angle of was formed. The width and depth of this microchannel depend on the particle diameter of the generated droplets or microparticles, but it is sufficient that the aspect ratio of the microchannel does not deviate from the range of 0.30 or more and less than 3.0. .
In the same manner as in Example 1, liquid feeding was performed by injecting a mixed solution of divinylbenzene and butyl acetate into a dispersed phase for producing fine particles, and injecting a 3% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol into each microsyringe as a continuous phase. A syringe pump was used. The liquid feeding speed is 2 μl / min for both the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. Formation of microparticles was observed at the junction where the dispersed phase and continuous phase of the microchannel structure intersect, with both liquid feed rates stabilized. After the generation of the fine particles, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the position of the discharge channel (7) 10 mm away from the discharge port (8) is the center of the light irradiation spot (20), and the light irradiation (21) with ultraviolet rays is performed. The fine particles were cured. The size of the light irradiation spot was about 10 mm in diameter. A mask (22) was installed so that light was not irradiated except for the light irradiation spot. From the outlet, fine particles using an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol as a medium were discharged. When the generated fine particles were observed, the average particle size was 200 μm, and the CV value (%) indicating the degree of dispersion of the particle size was 8.5%, which was very uniform fine particles. In addition, instead of irradiating light after generating microparticles within the microflow separation, a portion of the Teflon (registered trademark) tube (27) outside the microchannel structure from the discharge port (8) shown in FIG. 9A. Was heated to 65 ° C. with a heater (28) to cure the fine particles. Fine particles using a polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution as a medium were discharged into the beaker (26). When the generated fine particles were observed, the CV value (%) indicating the dispersity of the particle diameter with an average particle diameter of 200 μm was 8.5%, and the particles were extremely uniform.

(Example 7)
As a seventh example, a microchannel structure having a microchannel (16) as shown in FIG. 30 was manufactured. Position of the common channel inlet so that the channel depth is 80 μm and the channel width is 0.5 mm at the common channel inlet (32) and 2 mm at the common channel outlet (31). From the two common channels (29) whose channel width is gradually increased toward the position of the common channel discharge port from which the minute channel having a width of 220 μm and a depth of 80 μm is drawn and merged in a Y shape Four channels were arranged at equal intervals of 6 mm (all of a _{1 to} a ₅ were 6 mm). The shape of this Y-shaped microchannel is the same as that of the first embodiment. The common channel introduction port had a width of 0.5 mm and a depth of 80 μm, and the common channel discharge port had a width of 200 μm and a depth of 80 μm. The microchannel structure having the microchannel was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1.

In the same manner as in Example 1, pure water was fed to each common channel at a flow rate of 2.5 ml / min for 5 minutes to the fluid inlets of the two common channels of this microchannel structure. the amount of liquid discharged from the fluid outlet of the fine channel through the Y-shaped minute flow passage was compared in each flow path, the results shown in Table 1 were obtained, each of Y ₁ to Y ₄ The liquid could be uniformly fed into the microchannel.

  In addition, a 3% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol is fed to one common channel, and a mixed solution of divinylbenzene and butyl acetate is fed to the other common channel at a rate of 100 μl / min in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result of measuring and averaging the particle diameters of the 10 microparticles generated in the flow path with a microscope, the results shown in Table 2 were obtained. The average value of the particle diameters of the microparticles discharged from each microflow path was 101. The CV value (%) indicating the degree of dispersion of 0 μm and the particle diameter was 8.7%, and uniform microparticles could be generated in each microchannel.

(Comparative Example 2)
As a second comparative example, a microchannel structure having a microchannel (16) as shown in FIG. 31 was manufactured. Position of the common channel inlet so that the channel depth is 80 μm and the channel width is 2 mm at the common channel inlet (32) and 0.5 mm at the common channel outlet (31). From the two common channels (29) whose channel width was gradually narrowed toward the position of the common channel outlet, a minute channel having a width of 220 μm and a depth of 80 μm was drawn and merged in a Y shape. Four microchannels were arranged at an equal interval of 6 mm (all of a _{1 to} a ₅ were 6 mm). The shape of the microchannel is the same as that in the first embodiment. The common channel introduction port had a width of 0.5 mm and a depth of 80 μm, and the common channel discharge port had a width of 220 μm and a depth of 80 μm. The microchannel structure having the microchannel was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1.

Using a liquid feed pump at each fluid inlet of each of the two common channels of the microchannel structure, pure water is supplied to each common channel at a flow rate of 2.5 ml / min. When the amount of liquid delivered for 5 minutes and passing through the Y-shaped microchannel and discharged from the fluid outlet of the microchannel was compared between the channels, the results shown in Table 1 were obtained. Y ₁ It could not be uniformly feeding the liquid to each of microchannels to Y _4.

  In addition, a 3% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol was fed into one common channel, and a mixed solution of divinylbenzene and butyl acetate was fed into the other common channel at a rate of 100 μl / min with a liquid feed pump as in Example 1. As a result of measuring and averaging the particle diameters of 10 microparticles generated in each microchannel with a microscope, the results shown in Table 2 are obtained, and microparticles having a uniform particle diameter are generated in each microchannel I couldn't.

(Example 8)
As an eighth example, a microchannel structure having a microchannel as shown in FIG. 20 was manufactured. The width W of the formed microchannel is 220 [μm], the depth d of the microchannel is 80 [μm], and the length of the microchannel is 30 [mm], which is connected to the introduction port (11). The introduction channel (48) was joined at an angle of 44 °. The microchannel structure having the microchannel was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1.

  In the same manner as in Example 1, an aqueous phase containing phenol as a substance to be extracted is sent from one of the fluid inlets of this microchannel, and from the other fluid inlet, ethyl acetate is used as an extraction solvent. The organic phase was sent. Experiments were conducted when the laminar flow was formed by adjusting the liquid feeding speed to extract phenol on the ethyl acetate side, and when the organic phase of ethyl acetate was extracted into fine particles by the aqueous phase. The liquid feeding speed when the laminar flow was formed was 20 μl / min for both the aqueous phase and the organic phase. The liquid feeding speed when the organic phase of divinylbenzene was made into fine particles by the aqueous phase was 2 μl / min for both the aqueous phase and the organic phase.

In this microchannel, the specific interface area obtained when the laminar flow is formed is that the width W of the microchannel is about 220 [μm], so that 2 × 10 ⁴ / W [cm ⁻¹ ] = about ^{2 × 10 4/220 [cm} -1] = was about 90 ^{[cm -1].} In addition, when the organic phase of ethyl acetate was microparticulated with the aqueous phase, the average particle diameter of the microparticles was measured using a high-speed camera, and the diameter D of the microparticles was determined to be about 200 [μm]. Specific interfacial area in this case, becomes ^{6 × 10 4 / D [cm} -1] = about ^{6 × 10 4/200 [cm} -1] = about 300 ^{[cm -1].} From this, it is estimated that when the organic phase of ethyl acetate is microparticulated with the aqueous phase, the non-interfacial area is larger and the extraction efficiency is higher than when the laminar flow is formed with the aqueous phase and the organic phase. The

  Actually, the fluid discharged from the fluid outlet was collected in a test tube, and only the organic phase was taken out and the concentration of phenol was measured using high performance liquid chromatography. The longer the time that the organic phase and the aqueous phase are in contact with each other, the larger the amount of the substance that is extracted, so the measurement result is the residence time in the microchannel calculated from the feeding speed of the organic phase that is the extraction solvent. Divided and corrected. As a result, the concentration of phenol was higher when the organic phase of ethyl acetate was extracted with fine particles. From the above, it was confirmed that the extraction efficiency was improved more than the efficiency determined by the width of the microchannel by making the extraction solvent into fine particles.

It is the schematic which shows the micro flow path which produces | generates the conventional microparticle, The FIG. 1 right is AA 'sectional drawing of BB' at the left of FIG. 1, and BB 'sectional drawing. is there. FIG. 2A is a conceptual diagram showing a laminar flow in the Y-shaped microchannel, and FIG. 2B is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view enlarging a circle that is a part of FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the method in which a continuous phase shears a dispersed phase in the vicinity of the confluence | merging part of a microchannel, and forms a microparticle. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the method of forming a microparticle by shearing so that the continuous phase of both sides may pinch | interpose a center dispersed phase in the confluence | merging part vicinity of a microchannel. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the method of a center continuous phase shearing dispersion | distribution of both sides in the vicinity of the confluence | merging part of a microchannel, and forming a microparticle. In the vicinity of the confluence of the microchannel, a dispersed phase is introduced linearly from one side and a continuous phase is introduced from the other side, and the dispersed phase is sheared by the continuous phase to generate microparticles, which are discharged in any direction. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the method to make it. (Dispersed Phase Introducing Channel for Introducing Multiple Dispersed Phases and / or Continuous Phases) and / or Continuous Phase Introducing Channels are provided, and the Dispersed Phases and / or Continuous Phases are Laminar Flows, or Mixed Liquids or Suspensions FIG. 7A to FIG. 7G are several conceptual diagrams showing a method of forming a microparticle by shearing a dispersed phase in a continuous phase in the vicinity of a confluence portion of a microchannel as a liquid (emulsion). The aspect of is shown. FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic views showing a method of curing fine particles by light irradiation, FIG. 8A is a schematic view when light irradiation means is provided outside, and FIG. 8B is a schematic view when light is irradiated using a mask. It is. FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic views showing a method for curing microparticles by heating, in which FIG. 9A shows a case where a heating means is provided outside, and FIG. 9B shows a case where a heating means is provided inside the microchannel structure. FIG. It is the conceptual diagram which showed the most basic microchannel shape which sends a fluid uniformly to several microchannels arrange | positioned planarly or three-dimensionally. Among the microchannel shapes that uniformly send fluid to a plurality of microchannels arranged in a plane or three-dimensionally, the cross-sectional area of the common channel is from the common channel inlet to the common channel outlet It is the conceptual diagram which showed the example which becomes large gradually. Example in which liquid is fed from two common channels to a plurality of micro channels on a Y-shape among micro channel shapes that uniformly send fluid to a plurality of micro channels arranged in a plane or three-dimensionally It is the conceptual diagram which showed. It is the conceptual diagram which showed the example which has arrange | positioned the common flow path in circular arc shape among the micro flow path shapes which send a fluid uniformly to the several micro flow path arrange | positioned planarly or three-dimensionally. Among the micro-channel shapes that uniformly send a fluid to a plurality of micro-channels arranged in a plane or three-dimensionally, a micro-channel substrate having a micro-channel is overlapped, and the common channel is defined as the micro-channel FIG. 14 shows an example in which the substrate is penetrated, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines DD ′ and EE ′. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the microparticle in a microchannel. As the use of the microparticles in the present invention, the fluid containing the substance to be extracted is a fluid obtained by separately introducing two fluids having raw materials into the microchannel and mixing and reacting them in the reaction phase in the microchannel. It is a conceptual diagram of the solvent extraction method. In a microchannel that generates a product by a reaction that occurs at a fluid boundary, two fluids having raw materials are used as a continuous phase, and the extraction solvent is sheared at the fluid boundary by this continuous phase to form microdroplets at the fluid boundary. It is a conceptual diagram which extracts the product produced | generated in the fluid boundary by setting it as a dispersed phase. The fluid containing the substance to be extracted is made into fine droplets to form a dispersed phase, phase transfer is performed to the extraction solvent that is a continuous phase, solvent extraction is performed, and then the substance to be extracted is cured by curing at least the surface of the microdroplets. It is a conceptual diagram which shows separating. The fluid containing the substance to be extracted is made into a continuous phase, phase-shifted to the extraction solvent made into microdroplets and dispersed, and after solvent extraction, the substance to be extracted is cured by curing at least the surface of the microdroplets. It is a conceptual diagram which shows separating. It is the schematic which shows the microchannel in Example 1, Example 6, and Example 8. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a microchannel structure in Example 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a method for producing fine particles in Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state of microparticle generation in Example 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing generated fine particles in Example 1. It is the schematic which shows the micro channel in Example 2, The FIG. 25 right is G-G 'sectional drawing of G-G' at the left of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the microchannel in the comparative example 1, and the FIG. 26 right is H-H 'sectional drawing of H-H' of FIG. 26 left. FIG. 27A is a schematic view showing a micro flow channel in Example 3, and FIGS. 27B and 27C are enlarged views of a portion 6 in FIG. 27A. It is the schematic which shows the microchannel in Example 4, The FIG. 28 right is M-M 'sectional drawing of M-M' of the left side of FIG. It is the schematic which shows the microchannel in Example 5, and FIG. 29 right is N-N 'sectional drawing of N-N' of the left side of FIG. It is the schematic of the microchannel shape shown in Example 7. 6 is a schematic diagram of a microchannel shape shown in Comparative Example 2. FIG. FIGS. 32A to 32E are some conceptual diagrams showing an example in which one or more protrusions are formed from any one or two or more of the bottom, top, and side surfaces of the flow path.

Explanation of symbols

1: Microchannel substrate 2: Continuous phase inlet port 3: Continuous phase inlet channel 4: Dispersed phase inlet channel 5: Dispersed phase inlet channel 6: Merging section 7: Discharge channel 8: Discharge port 9: Microchannel 10: Continuous phase 11: Inlet 12: Organic phase 13: Aqueous phase 14: Fluid boundary 15: Dispersed phase 16: Microchannel 17: Microparticle 18: Diameter of microparticle 19: Microchannel structure 20: Light irradiation spot 21: Light irradiation 22: Mask 23: Holder 24: Unit length of micro flow channel 25: Depth of micro flow channel 26: Beaker 27: Teflon (registered trademark) tube 28: Heater 29: Common flow channel 30 : Cover body 31: Common channel outlet 32: Common channel inlet 33: Diameter of micro droplet 34: Micro droplet 35: Fluid A
36: Fluid b
37: Reaction phase 38: Extraction solvent 39: Solvent extraction 40: Fillet joint 41: Micro syringe pump 42: Micro syringe 43: Fluid inlet A
44: Fluid inlet B
45: Fluid inlet C
46: Laminar flow channel 47: Laminar flow confluence 48: Introduction channel

Claims (9)

A dispersed phase introduction port and a dispersed phase introduction channel for introducing a dispersed phase, a continuous phase introduction port and a continuous phase introduction channel for introducing a continuous phase, and fine particles generated by the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. A microchannel structure having a discharge channel and a discharge port for discharging, wherein the dispersed phase introduction channel, the continuous phase introduction channel, and the discharge channel form a Y-shape; and A microchannel structure in which the width of the discharge channel is narrow at the intersection of the discharge channel from the intersection where the dispersed phase introduction channel and the continuous phase introduction channel intersect to the discharge port body. 2. The microchannel structure according to claim 1, wherein an aspect ratio (ratio of channel depth / width) of the channel cross section is 0.30 or more and less than 3.0. The microchannel structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the portion where the width of the discharge channel is narrow is on the introduction channel side of the dispersed phase at the intersection of the discharge channel. The one or more protrusions are formed from the bottom surface, the top surface, and / or the side surface of the flow channel at the intersection where the dispersed phase flow channel and the continuous phase flow channel intersect. 4. The microchannel structure according to any one of 3. A dispersion phase comprising the microdroplets after the extraction solvent or the fluid containing the substance to be extracted is made into microdroplets in the microchannel using the microchannel structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4. And a continuous phase surrounding the microdroplet is subjected to solvent extraction by phase transfer of the substance to be extracted. 6. The solvent extraction method according to claim 5, wherein the fluid containing the substance to be extracted is a continuous phase and the extraction solvent is a dispersed phase. 6. The solvent extraction method according to claim 5, wherein the fluid containing the substance to be extracted is a dispersed phase and the extraction solvent is a continuous phase. The solvent extraction method according to claim 5, wherein the substance to be extracted is a product obtained by chemically reacting two or more fluids containing raw materials. After performing solvent extraction in the microchannel, microparticles are obtained using the microchannel structure according to claims 1 to 4, and the microparticles are irradiated with light or ultraviolet rays, or the microparticles are heated. The solvent extraction method according to claim 5, wherein the continuous phase and the dispersed phase are separated by curing at least the surface of the microdroplets by any one of the methods.

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