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Hydrophobic sol-gel channel patterning strategies for paper-based microfluidics
Jingyun Wang1, Maria Rowena N Monton, Xi Zhang
1Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L7, Canada.
Lab on a Chip
|December 20, 2013
Summary
Methylsilsesquioxane (MSQ) barriers in paper microfluidics resist harsh chemicals, unlike wax and alkylketene dimer (AKD). MSQ enables robust devices for applications like bacterial detection.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Paper-based microfluidic devices offer low-cost diagnostics.
- Hydrophobic barrier materials are crucial for defining channels and preventing fluidic crosstalk.
- Existing barriers like wax and alkylketene dimer (AKD) have limitations with aggressive reagents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate methylsilsesquioxane (MSQ) as a hydrophobic barrier material in paper microfluidic devices.
- To compare MSQ performance against traditional barrier materials (wax, AKD) using various chemical challenges.
- To demonstrate the fabrication and functionality of MSQ-based microfluidic devices.
Main Methods:
- Sol-gel derived methylsilsesquioxane (MSQ) was synthesized and applied as a barrier material.
- Paper-based devices with MSQ, wax, and AKD barriers were fabricated.
- Barriers were tested against water, cell lysing solutions, surfactants (SDS, CTAB, Triton X-100), glycerol, toluene, DMSO, and alcohols.
- MSQ-based devices were fabricated using inkjet printing and base etching.
- A colorimetric sensor for Escherichia coli was formatted on MSQ-based devices.
Main Results:
- All barrier types (MSQ, wax, AKD) performed well with water.
- MSQ barriers demonstrated superior resistance to aggressive cell lysing and surfactant solutions (SDS, CTAB, Triton X-100).
- MSQ barriers withstood glycerol, toluene, and DMSO, while all barrier types failed with alcohols.
- MSQ devices were successfully fabricated via inkjet printing and base etching.
- A functional colorimetric sensor for Escherichia coli was developed using MSQ-based devices.
Conclusions:
- Methylsilsesquioxane (MSQ) is a robust hydrophobic barrier material for paper microfluidic devices, outperforming wax and AKD.
- MSQ enables the development of paper-based microfluidic devices capable of withstanding harsh chemical environments.
- MSQ-based devices are suitable for diverse applications, including the detection of microorganisms like Escherichia coli.
