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Physisorbed surface coatings for poly(dimethylsiloxane) and quartz microfluidic devices
M Viefhues1, S Manchanda, T-C Chao
1Experimental Biophysics and Applied Nanoscience, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
|August 18, 2011
Summary
Surface modifications using F(108), poly(L-lysine)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-PEG), and n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside/methyl cellulose (DDM/MC) coatings improve microfluidic device performance. Dynamic DDM/MC and F(108) coatings offer optimal biofouling reduction and electroosmotic flow control.
Area of Science:
- Surface chemistry and materials science
- Microfluidics and bioanalytical devices
- Biomaterials and surface engineering
Background:
- Surface modifications are crucial for microfluidic devices in bioanalysis.
- Controlling surface properties like wettability and protein adsorption is essential.
- Electroosmotic flow (EOF) is a key parameter influenced by surface characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of three different surface coatings on quartz and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microfluidic devices.
- To evaluate the impact of static versus dynamic coating strategies on surface properties and performance.
- To assess protein adsorption, contact angle, and electroosmotic flow (EOF) characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Coating quartz and PDMS surfaces with F(108), poly(L-lysine)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-PEG), and n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside/methyl cellulose (DDM/MC).
- Characterization of surface properties through contact angle measurements.
- Quantification of electroosmotic flow (EOF) and its reproducibility.
- Assessment of protein adsorption prevention.
- Comparison of static and dynamic coating application methods.
Main Results:
- All tested coatings (F(108), PLL-PEG, DDM/MC) on both quartz and PDMS reduced EOF, improved EOF reproducibility, decreased protein adsorption, and enhanced wettability.
- Dynamic coatings with DDM/MC and F(108) showed the greatest reduction in EOF and protein adsorption, with excellent long-term EOF stability.
- PLL-PEG coating resulted in a reversal of EOF direction.
- Static F(108) coating was as effective as dynamic F(108) coating in preventing protein adsorption.
Conclusions:
- Surface modification strategies significantly enhance the performance of microfluidic devices for bioanalytical applications.
- Dynamic DDM/MC and F(108) coatings provide optimal solutions for reducing biofouling and controlling EOF in microfluidic systems.
- The choice between static and dynamic coating application can be optimized based on the specific coating agent and desired outcome, particularly for F(108).
