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Simple One-Step and Rapid Patterning of PDMS Microfluidic Device Wettability for PDMS Shell Production
Chunying Feng1, Kohei Takahashi2, Jianan Zhu1
1Frontier Science Center for Synthetic Biology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering (Ministry of Education), School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|May 6, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a simple, one-step method to pattern microfluidic devices for controlled double emulsion (DE) generation. This technique enhances DE applications in areas like drug delivery and chemical synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Double emulsions (DEs) are versatile for various applications but require precise control over droplet generation.
- Current methods for fabricating DEs often lack simplicity and spatial control over surface wettability in microfluidic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a straightforward, one-step method for selectively patterning the surface wettability of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices.
- To enable precise control over double emulsion generation for advanced applications.
Main Methods:
- Leveraged plasma treatment-induced hydrophilicity changes in PDMS for selective surface modification.
- Utilized Aquapel and 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecyltriethoxysilan (PFDTES) treatments to pattern wettability.
- Generated water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) and oil-in-water-in-oil (o/w/o) DEs.
- Formed PDMS microcapsules from DEs using cross-linking agents.
Main Results:
- Successfully demonstrated a one-step method for selective wettability patterning on PDMS microfluidic devices.
- Achieved the generation of both w/o/w and o/w/o double emulsions using the patterned devices.
- Produced solid PDMS microcapsules by utilizing the DEs as templates.
Conclusions:
- The developed method offers a simple and effective way to create patterned microfluidic devices for controlled DE generation.
- This technique broadens the potential applications of double emulsions in fields such as biological analysis, chemical synthesis, and drug delivery.
- The ability to generate both types of DEs and form microcapsules highlights the versatility of this approach.
