Custom microfluidic devices
Potomac can fabricate fully functional microfluidic devices in many materials such as Cyclo-Olefin Copolymer (COC). Often our customers ask us to treat the material to make if more hydrophilic. COC is a relatively hydrophobic material that can be difficult to wet with water or aqueous solutions. However, there are several methods that can be used to increase the hydrophilicity of COC, which can improve its performance in microfluidic devices. Here are some common methods:
Plasma treatment: Plasma treatment is a surface modification technique that can introduce functional groups such as carboxylic acids, hydroxyl groups, or amino groups to the surface of the COC. This can increase the surface energy and hydrophilicity of the material, making it more wettable. Plasma treatment can be performed using a variety of gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, or hydrogen, and the treatment time and conditions can be optimized to achieve the desired surface properties.
Chemical treatment: Chemical treatments such as acid etching, base hydrolysis, or grafting of hydrophilic polymers can also be used to increase the hydrophilicity of COC. Acid etching involves exposing the COC to a strong acid such as sulfuric acid, which can remove the surface layers and create new functional groups. Base hydrolysis involves exposing the COC to a strong base such as sodium hydroxide, which can create hydrophilic functional groups such as carboxylic acids. Grafting of hydrophilic polymers involves attaching hydrophilic polymer chains to the surface of the COC, which can increase its hydrophilicity.
Surfactant treatment: Surfactants are molecules that can reduce the surface tension of liquids and can be used to increase the wetting of COC. Surfactant treatment involves immersing the COC in a solution containing a surfactant such as Triton X-100 or Tween-20, which can adsorb onto the surface of the COC and reduce its contact angle with water.
In summary, plasma treatment, UV/Ozone treatment, chemical treatment, and surfactant treatment are all effective methods to increase the hydrophilicity of COC. The choice of method will depend on the specific application and the desired level of hydrophilicity required.
Potomac Photonics is the leader in helping customers develop and bring their microfluidic products to the markets. We have a broad range of technologies including some of which are mentioned in the article capable of fabricating, treating and assembling microfluidic parts. Please contact us today to discuss you application.
Microfluidic devices are a type of miniaturized lab-on-a-chip technology that have been gaining popularity in recent years. These tiny devices are used to manipulate and analyze very small quantities of fluids, and they have a wide range of applications in fields such as medicine, chemistry, and biology. One of the key components of microfluidic devices…
Even after decades of success helping innovators prototype and manufacture the next generation of products in a diverse range of industries, each year Potomac still evaluates how we can develop even more market specific products for the biotech, microfluidics, EV Battery, microelectronics, aerospace, and consumer markets. 2023 is no different. For the year ahead we…
To Create Liver on a Chip Research via NIH Grant Drug discovery is in a radical digital transformation period. Historically, developing new pharmaceuticals has been a very long – think years or even decades – and expensive – think billions of dollars – process. A large part of the time and cost in bringing new…