Functional Particles and Particle Technologies

Our offer includes the preparation, processing and characterization of functional particles.

Materials

Different materials are used for this purpose:

  • Biobased particles (chitosan, gelatin, alginate, inulin, lignin)
  • Biodegradable particles (PLGA, PLA)
  • Inorganic particles (silica, gold)

Functional particle surfaces

The surfaces of nano- and microparticles can be additionally modified with functional properties and active groups to optimize the desired material properties:

  • Specific adsorber particles
  • Biofunctionalization
  • Click chemistry
  • Active ester

Adjustment and optimization of the matrix properties

In addition, blends of several materials that combine the advantages of both materials are being developed in such a manner that the specific properties can be adjusted in a targeted manner. Chemical modification of the materials at Fraunhofer IGB also enables completely new properties of the materials in bulk and in particulate form. We develop this modification individually in cooperation with our customers.

Moreover, it is possible to specifically slow down or reduce the release of active substances. For this purpose, in addition to chemical modification, we also use biocompatible crosslinking reactions, which are based on electrostatic interactions and thus contribute to the prevention of harmful substances in the environment and the body.

Particle technology: Synthesis of functional particles

Nano- and microparticles with diameters ranging from 50 nanometers to several 100 micrometers are produced at Fraunhofer IGB from organic and inorganic materials. Research focuses on the design of tailor-made particles as carrier materials for biotechnology and medicine and for the separation (enrichment) of low-concentration valuable substances or interfering/polluting substances.

A number of different particle technologies are available at Fraunhofer IGB:

 

Spray drying

 

Emulsification technologies

 

Polymerization processes

 

Encapsulation

Sol-gel chemistry

Gold/silver particles by reduction

Application areas and references

 

Adsorptive separation and purification

Adsorber particles are suitable for selective separation of valuable or interfering substances. The adsorption process developed for α-tocopherol is applicable on a pilot plant scale.

 

 

Immobilization of enzymes

Enzymes are versatile biocatalysts; however, their technical application is often limited by poor long-term stability. We can circumvent these weakness by immobilizing the enzymes to functional particles.