Issue 7, 2009

Use of photopatterned porous polymer monoliths as passive micromixers to enhance mixing efficiency for on-chip labeling reactions

Abstract

We introduce a passive micromixer with novel architecture using photopatterned porous polymer monoliths (PPM) and demonstrate an improvement in mixing efficiency by monitoring the fluorescence of an on-chip labeling reaction. UV light was used to photopattern a periodic arrangement of PPM structures directly within the channel of a plastic microfluidic chip. By optimizing the composition of the polymerization solution and irradiation time we demonstrate the ability to photopattern PPM in regularly repeating 100 µm segments at the tee-junction of the disposable device. To evaluate the efficiency of this dual functional mixer-reactor fluorescamine and lysine were introduced in separate channels upstream of the tee-junction and the intensity of laser-induced fluorescence resulting from the fluorogenic labeling reaction was monitored. The fluorescence level after the photopatterned periodic monolith configuration was 22% greater than both an equivalent 1 cm continuous segment of PPM and an open channel. Results indicate that this periodic arrangement of PPM, with regularly spaced open areas between 100 µm plugs of PPM, is directly responsible for enhancing the mixing and overall rate of chemical reaction in the system. In addition to facilitating preparation of a dual functional mixer-reactor, the ability to accurately photopattern PPM is an enabling technology for seamlessly integrating multiple monoliths into a single device. This technology will be particularly important to proteomic applications requiring preconcentration, enzymatic digestion and two-dimensional separations.

Graphical abstract: Use of photopatterned porous polymer monoliths as passive micromixers to enhance mixing efficiency for on-chip labeling reactions

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
24 Sep 2008
Accepted
12 Dec 2008
First published
07 Jan 2009

Lab Chip, 2009,9, 877-883

Use of photopatterned porous polymer monoliths as passive micromixers to enhance mixing efficiency for on-chip labeling reactions

D. A. Mair, T. R. Schwei, T. S. Dinio, F. Svec and J. M. J. Fréchet, Lab Chip, 2009, 9, 877 DOI: 10.1039/B816521A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements