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Stable low-fouling plasma polymer coatings on polydimethylsiloxane
1Department of Engineering Materials, Kroto Research Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Biotactical Engineering Group, IRIS, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn 3122, Australia.
Biomicrofluidics
|September 25, 2013
Summary
This study developed stable, protein-resistant coatings for Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidics using tetraglyme plasma polymers. The method enhances PDMS surfaces, preventing protein adsorption for over 100 days.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is widely used in microfluidics due to its advantageous properties.
- However, PDMS is inherently hydrophobic and susceptible to non-specific protein adsorption, limiting its applications.
- Protein adsorption can interfere with microfluidic device performance and biological assays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop stable and protein-resistant surface coatings for PDMS.
- To investigate the efficacy of tetraglyme plasma polymer coatings combined with baking and multiple coating steps.
- To assess the long-term stability and protein adsorption resistance of the modified PDMS surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Utilized extended baking processes in conjunction with multiple tetraglyme plasma polymer coating steps.
- Applied plasma polymerization techniques to modify the surface chemistry of PDMS.
- Quantified protein adsorption using standard assays and evaluated coating stability over time.
Main Results:
- Achieved highly stable plasma polymer coatings on PDMS surfaces.
- Demonstrated significant reduction in non-specific protein adsorption, with levels below 10 ng/cm(2).
- Confirmed coating stability for storage periods exceeding 100 days.
Conclusions:
- The developed method effectively produces protein-resistant and stable PDMS surfaces.
- This approach is versatile and applicable to various plasma polymer systems for surface functionalization.
- The technique offers a promising solution for enhancing PDMS-based microfluidic devices in biological applications.
