Harnessing flow and microfluidics to direct inorganic crystal growth and architecture

Abstract

This review explores how flows and microfluidics manipulate inorganic crystal nucleation, growth, and self-organization under far-from-equilibrium conditions. Different microfluidic platforms—including continuous-flow, droplet-based, and emerging paper-based devices—are presented for their ability to control mixing, supersaturation, and polymorph selection. Analytical tools, both in situ (optical, spectroscopic, XRD, TEM) and ex situ (SEM, UV-vis, Raman), to provide multi-scale insights into crystallization dynamics are presented. The review highlights how microfluidics enables precise tuning of morphology and kinetics, reproduces biomimetic conditions, and allows crystal self-organization into complex architectures. Finally, current challenges such as clogging are discussed alongside perspectives for integrating advanced characterization techniques and extending microfluidic crystallization strategies to new material systems.