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Tailoring Electrospun Poly(l-lactic acid) Nanofibers as Substrates for Microfluidic Applications
Eduardo S Pimentel, Ricardo Brito-Pereira1, Teresa Marques-Almeida
1CMEMS-UMinho , Universidade do Minho , Campus de Azurém , 4800-058 Guimarães , Portugal.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|December 7, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed novel electrospun poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) microfluidic substrates as a cost-effective, eco-friendly alternative to paper. These PLLA membranes offer tunable properties for advanced microfluidic analytical devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) are limited by the properties of conventional paper substrates.
- There is a need for advanced, customizable, and sustainable materials for µPAD fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel microfluidic substrates using electrospun poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) membranes.
- To evaluate PLLA substrates as a viable alternative to commercial paper for µPADs.
- To demonstrate the potential of PLLA-based µPADs in a glucose detection application.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of oriented and nonoriented electrospun PLLA membranes via electrospinning.
- Characterization of membrane morphology, physicochemical properties, and capillary flow rates.
- Comparison of PLLA substrates with commercial Whatman paper.
- Proof-of-concept colorimetric glucose detection assay on PLLA and paper-based µPADs.
Main Results:
- Electrospun PLLA membranes exhibited tunable morphology and physicochemical properties.
- Fiber orientation, hydrophilic additives, and plasma treatments influenced capillary flow.
- PLLA substrates demonstrated comparable or superior performance to paper in glucose detection.
- PLLA-based µPADs showed potential for portable, disposable, and eco-friendly analytical systems.
Conclusions:
- Electrospun PLLA membranes are a promising, versatile substrate for microfluidic applications.
- PLLA offers advantages in terms of biodegradability, biocompatibility, and cost-effectiveness.
- Tailorable properties of PLLA substrates enable customized microfluidic devices for various biotechnological needs.
