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3D-printed chemiluminescence flow cells with customized cross-section geometry for enhanced analytical performance
Llucia García-Moll1, Alexandra Sixto2, Enrique Javier Carrasco-Correa3
1FI-TRACE Group, Department of Chemistry, University of the Balearic Islands, Carretera de Valldemossa km 7.5, E-07122, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Talanta
|January 12, 2023
Summary
Low force stereolithography enables rapid, one-step 3D printing of novel chemiluminescence (CL) flow cells. A five-side polygon design offers superior analytical performance for detecting hydrogen peroxide in complex samples.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Traditional methods for fabricating chemiluminescence (CL) flow cells are often time-consuming and costly.
- Existing 3D printing technologies face challenges in producing complex, integrated microfluidic devices without extensive post-processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile, one-step fabrication method for CL flow-through cells using low force stereolithography.
- To evaluate the analytical performance of various 3D-printed cell geometries, including custom gaskets, reactors, and confluences.
- To optimize cell design for enhanced light capture and efficient reagent mixing.
Main Methods:
- Low force stereolithography for one-step 3D printing of CL flow cells with diverse cross-section geometries.
- Evaluation of analytical performance (LOD, dynamic range, precision) using phthalazinedione-hydrogen peroxide chemistry.
- Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to analyze flow patterns and mixing efficiency.
- Demonstration of applicability using a computerized hybrid flow system for real-world sample analysis.
Main Results:
- Simultaneous fabrication of up to twenty transparent functional cells in under 5 hours without internal supports.
- The five-side irregular pentagon cell design demonstrated superior analytical figures of merit compared to circular and other polygonal designs.
- CFD simulations confirmed the 5-side polygon cell with Y-type confluence provided the most efficient mixing and photon capture.
- Successful automatic determination of hydrogen peroxide in seawater and saliva samples with high recovery rates (83-103%).
Conclusions:
- Low force stereolithography is a highly effective technique for rapid, cost-efficient fabrication of advanced CL flow cells.
- The 3D-printed five-side polygon CL cell offers significant advantages in analytical performance and integration capabilities.
- This technology holds promise for developing customized microfluidic devices for sensitive and automated chemical analysis.
