Preparation of the capillary-based microchips for solid phase extraction by using the monolithic frits prepared by...

A microfluidic solid phase extraction (SPE) array for sample enrichment was prepared by a simple method, a hot embossing technique. Five fused-silica capillaries (250 microm i.d., 380 microm o.d.) were partly embedded parallel in a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microchip to serve as the extraction channels. Within each of the channels, a 2-mm-long monolithic porous polymer was prepared by in-situ photoinitiated polymerization. This then acted as the frit for packing of the extraction materials (octadecylsilica beads, ODS). By defining the light-exposure window on the channels, one can easily control the length and location of the polymer frits and the ODS beads can be packed at the desired location. With this method, solid phase extraction channels for microfluidic use can be easily prepared without complex fabrication of microstructures. Several SPE channels can be conveniently made in one microchip since the frits can be prepared in different channels through one polymerization; packing of the different channels can also be performed simultaneously. With the use of dilute ephedrine solutions, the sample loading capacity, linearity, and reproducibility were characterized. Coupled with the fast capillary electrophoresis separation, this microchip SPE array was applied for the detection of ephedrines in human urine.