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Simple Surface Modification of Poly(dimethylsiloxane) via Surface Segregating Smart Polymers for Biomicrofluidics
Aslıhan Gökaltun1,2,3, Young Bok Abraham Kang1, Martin L Yarmush1,4
1Center for Engineering in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
Scientific Reports
|May 16, 2019
Summary
This study presents a novel method to enhance poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) materials for microfluidics. By incorporating poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) copolymers, the modified PDMS exhibits improved hydrophilicity and reduced protein adsorption, crucial for biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Microfluidics Engineering
Background:
- Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is widely used in microfluidic devices.
- PDMS's inherent hydrophobicity causes non-specific adsorption of proteins and drugs, limiting its applications.
- A need exists for surface modification of PDMS to enhance hydrophilicity without compromising other properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple method for improving PDMS hydrophilicity and reducing non-specific protein adsorption.
- To create a PDMS material with enhanced surface properties suitable for biomedical applications.
- To maintain PDMS's biocompatibility, transparency, and mechanical integrity after modification.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and PDMS segments (PDMS-PEG) copolymers into PDMS during device fabrication.
- Spontaneous surface segregation of PDMS-PEG to interfaces with aqueous solutions.
- Characterization of surface wettability using contact angle measurements and capillary flow experiments.
- Assessment of non-specific protein adsorption using albumin, lysozyme, and immunoglobulin G.
- Evaluation of cellular biocompatibility using primary rat hepatocytes in a liver-on-a-chip model.
Main Results:
- PDMS-PEG modified PDMS showed significantly reduced hydrophobicity with contact angles as low as 23.6° ± 1°.
- Hydrophilicity was maintained for at least twenty months.
- Substantially reduced non-specific adsorption of key proteins (albumin, lysozyme, IgG) was observed.
- Modified PDMS demonstrated excellent biocompatibility in a liver-on-a-chip model.
- The modification process did not require post-cure surface treatments.
Conclusions:
- The PDMS-PEG blending method offers a facile and effective way to create hydrophilic PDMS surfaces.
- This approach significantly reduces non-specific protein adsorption while preserving essential material properties.
- The modified PDMS is suitable for advanced microfluidic applications in biosensing, cell studies, and drug development.
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