Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026
04:54
Solvent Bonding for Fabrication of PMMA and COP Microfluidic Devices
Published on: January 17, 2017
Plasticizer-assisted bonding of poly(methyl methacrylate) microfluidic chips at low temperature
Haotian Duan1, Luyan Zhang, Gang Chen
1School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 138 Yixueyuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China.
Journal of Chromatography. A
|December 1, 2009
Summary
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) plasticizer enables low-temperature bonding of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microfluidic chips. This plasticizer-assisted method achieves high-quality seals below PMMA's glass transition temperature.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microfluidic chips require high bonding temperatures, often near or above their glass transition temperature.
- Elevated bonding temperatures can lead to deformation and affect the performance of microfluidic devices.
- Finding methods to reduce bonding temperature is crucial for fabricating robust and reliable PMMA microfluidic chips.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as a plasticizer to lower the bonding temperature of PMMA microfluidic chips.
- To achieve high-quality bonding of PMMA microfluidic chips at temperatures below the glass transition temperature of PMMA.
- To demonstrate the functionality of DBP-plasticizer-assisted bonded microfluidic chips.
Main Methods:
- PMMA microchips were fabricated using UV-initiated polymerization.
- DBP solution in isopropanol was coated onto PMMA covers, followed by solvent evaporation.
- DBP-coated covers were bonded to PMMA channel plates at 90°C for 10 minutes under pressure.
- Microchannels were examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy.
- Chip performance was validated using capillary electrophoresis with contactless conductivity detection.
Main Results:
- High-quality bonding of PMMA microfluidic chips was successfully achieved at 90°C, well below the PMMA glass transition temperature of approximately 105°C.
- The DBP plasticizer effectively lowered the bonding temperature without compromising the structural integrity of the microchannels.
- The fabricated microfluidic chips demonstrated effective separation and detection of ionic species.
Conclusions:
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is an effective plasticizer for low-temperature bonding of PMMA microfluidic chips.
- Plasticizer-assisted bonding offers a viable method for fabricating high-quality PMMA microfluidic devices at reduced temperatures.
- This technique enhances the potential for widespread application of PMMA-based microfluidic systems.
