Mixing Intensification for Advanced Materials Manufacturing

The mixing process plays a pivotal role in the design, optimization, and scale-up of chemical reactors. For most chemical reactions, achieving uniform and rapid contact between reactants at the molecular level is crucial. Mixing intensification encompasses innovative methods and tools that address the limitations of inadequate mixing within reactors, enabling efficient reaction scaling and boosting the productivity of industrial processes. This review provides a concise introduction to the fundamentals of multiphase mixing, followed by case studies highlighting the application of mixing intensification in the production of energy-storage materials, advanced optical materials, and nanopesticides. These examples illustrate the significance of theoretical analysis in informing and advancing engineering practices within the chemical industry. We also explore the challenges and opportunities in this field, offering insights based on our current understanding.