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Ion concentration polarization on paper-based microfluidic devices and its application to preconcentrate dilute
Ruey-Jen Yang1, Hao-Hsuan Pu1, Hsiang-Li Wang1
1Department of Engineering Science, National Cheng Kung University , Tainan, Taiwan.
Biomicrofluidics
|March 12, 2015
Summary
This study demonstrates ion concentration polarization (ICP) on microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) for enhanced sample preconcentration. Convergent channel μPADs achieve a 20-fold concentration enhancement, outperforming straight channels.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) offer potential for point-of-care diagnostics.
- Ion concentration polarization (ICP) has not been widely explored in μPADs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate and exploit the ICP phenomenon on μPADs for enhanced sample preconcentration.
- To compare the preconcentration efficiency of straight and convergent channel designs in μPADs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of μPADs with Nafion ion-selective membranes.
- Measurement of current-voltage curves to confirm ICP triggering.
- Utilizing ICP for preconcentrating fluorescein and labeled proteins in μPADs with different channel geometries.
Main Results:
- ICP was successfully induced on Nafion-coated μPADs, evidenced by current-voltage measurements.
- Convergent channel μPADs achieved a 20-fold concentration enhancement of fluorescein in 130s.
- Straight channel μPADs yielded a 10-fold enhancement in 180s.
- A 15-fold enhancement was demonstrated for fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled bovine serum albumin using convergent channels.
Conclusions:
- ICP is a viable mechanism for preconcentration on μPADs.
- Convergent channel design significantly improves ICP-based preconcentration efficiency.
- These findings support the development of advanced μPADs for sensitive point-of-care analysis.
