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Updated: Feb 16, 2026
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Using Adhesive Patterning to Construct 3D Paper Microfluidic Devices
Published on: April 1, 2016
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Water-based alkyl ketene dimer ink for user-friendly patterning in paper microfluidics.
Nurul Nadiah Hamidon1, Yumiao Hong2, Gert Ij Salentijn3
1Pharmaceutical Analysis, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands; Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Kuantan, Malaysia.
Analytica Chimica Acta
|January 1, 2018
Summary
A new water-based alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) ink enables easy, safe, and rapid patterning of paper microfluidic devices. This eco-friendly ink is ideal for field applications and low-resource settings, improving analytical tool fabrication.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Paper-based microfluidic devices offer low-cost diagnostics but often require complex fabrication methods.
- Existing hydrophobic patterning agents may involve hazardous organic solvents and specialized equipment.
- There is a need for user-friendly, safe, and scalable methods for creating functional features on paper substrates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and optimize a water-based alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) ink for patterning paper microfluidic devices.
- To evaluate the properties and performance of the developed AKD ink for creating hydrophobic barriers and functional surfaces.
- To demonstrate the ink's utility in enhancing analytical techniques like paper spray ionization-mass spectrometry (PSI-MS).
Main Methods:
- Formulation of water-based AKD ink via emulsification of AKD in chloroform and water, followed by chloroform evaporation and cooling.
- Optimization of ink properties by adjusting surfactant concentration, AKD concentration, emulsification, and cooling procedures.
- Application of the ink onto paper using a plotter pen, followed by thermal treatment to achieve hydrophobic surfaces and chemical bonding.
Main Results:
- An optimized protocol for producing a stable, water-based AKD ink was established.
- Paper surfaces patterned with the ink achieved a water contact angle of 135.6°, indicating significant hydrophobicity.
- The ink fabrication process effectively removed chloroform, making it safe for use without a fume hood and compatible with plastic tools.
- The ink successfully created selectively permeable barriers and enabled sample preconcentration for enhanced PSI-MS sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Water-based AKD ink provides a fast, user-friendly, and safe method for patterning paper microfluidic devices.
- This approach facilitates the fabrication of paper-based analytical tools for diverse settings, including field and low-resource environments.
- The developed ink technology holds promise for advancing portable diagnostics and point-of-care testing.
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