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Hydrophilic surface modification of cyclic olefin copolymer microfluidic chips using sequential photografting
Timothy B Stachowiak1, Dieudonne A Mair, Tyler G Holden
1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-1460, USA.
Journal of Separation Science
|June 15, 2007
Summary
Cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) microfluidic devices were modified with poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) via photografting. This enhanced surface hydrophilicity and significantly reduced protein adsorption for bioanalytical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) is a cost-effective substrate for microfluidic devices.
- Native COC's hydrophobicity limits its application in bioanalysis.
- Protein adsorption on COC surfaces is a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the hydrophilicity of COC surfaces.
- To reduce protein adsorption on COC microfluidic devices.
- To enable COC microdevices for bioanalytical applications.
Main Methods:
- Photografting of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) onto COC surfaces.
- A two-step sequential approach involving surface initiator formation and graft polymerization.
- Contact angle measurements to quantify surface hydrophilicity.
- Fluorescence assay to measure protein adsorption reduction.
Main Results:
- Water droplet contact angles decreased from 88° (native COC) to 45° (PEGMA-grafted COC).
- Protein adsorption was reduced by 78% in PEGMA-modified COC microchannels.
- Successful photografting of PEGMA demonstrated improved surface properties.
Conclusions:
- Photografting PEGMA effectively increases COC surface hydrophilicity.
- This modification significantly reduces nonspecific protein adsorption.
- The developed technique expands the utility of COC microdevices in bioanalysis.
