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Poly(dimethylsiloxane) surface modification by plasma treatment for DNA hybridization applications
Jinwen Zhou1, Amanda V Ellis, Nicolas H Voelcker
1School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
|December 9, 2010
Summary
This study optimized a two-step plasma modification of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) with argon and acrylic acid (AAc) to create a stable, carboxyl-functionalized surface. This modified PDMS surface enabled covalent attachment and hybridization of oligonucleotides for potential biosensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is a widely used material in microfluidics and biosensors.
- Surface modification of PDMS is crucial for enhancing its functionality and biocompatibility.
- Achieving stable and controllable surface functionalization remains a challenge for PDMS applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize a two-step plasma modification process for PDMS using argon and acrylic acid.
- To characterize the surface changes and stability of the modified PDMS.
- To demonstrate the utility of the functionalized PDMS surface for biomolecule immobilization and detection.
Main Methods:
- Two-step plasma treatment of PDMS with Argon (Ar) followed by acrylic acid (AAc).
- Optimization of plasma treatment parameters (time, pressure).
- Surface characterization using Water Contact Angle (WCA), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier Transform Infrared-Attenuated Total Reflection (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy.
- Oligonucleotide immobilization via carbodiimide coupling and hybridization detection using fluorescence microscopy.
Main Results:
- Optimized plasma conditions achieved significant reduction in WCA from 110° to 30°, indicating enhanced hydrophilicity.
- Modified PDMS surface exhibited stable carboxyl functionalization (COOH groups) confirmed by XPS and FTIR-ATR, even after buffer storage.
- Soxhlet extraction prior to plasma treatment improved surface stability.
- Successful covalent attachment of amino-terminated oligonucleotides and subsequent hybridization of complementary fluorescently tagged oligonucleotides were demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- The developed two-step plasma modification effectively functionalizes PDMS surfaces with poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc).
- The modified PDMS surface demonstrates good stability and is suitable for biomolecule immobilization.
- This approach provides a robust platform for developing PDMS-based biosensors and microarrays.
