Authors:
Lucas B. Neves
1
;
Inês Maia Gonçalves
1
;
João Ribeiro
2
;
Rui A. Lima
1
;
3
;
4
and
Ana Moita
5
Affiliations:
1
MEtRICs, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Minho, Campus de Azurém, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
;
2
Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
;
3
CEFT—Transport Phenomena Research Center, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
;
4
Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
;
5
IN+, Center for Innovation, Technology and Policy Research, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa. Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Keyword(s):
PDMS Surface Modification, Microfluidic Applications and Wettability Enhancement.
Abstract:
This position paper examines recent advancements in surface modification techniques for polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to improve its inherent hydrophobicity and enhance its application in microfluidic devices. While PDMS is valued for its transparency, biocompatibility, flexibility, stability, and non-toxicity, its hydrophobic nature limits fluid handling capabilities, which is essential for efficient microfluidic performance. Various methods, including oxygen plasma treatment, UV irradiation, and chemical Layer-by-Layer (LBL) deposition, have been explored to improve PDMS wettability. Surfactant-based modifications have shown promising results for achieving long-term hydrophilicity with straightforward application. Studies demonstrate that methods such as Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) coating and surfactant incorporation enable continuous capillary-driven flow without external pumps and improve sample purity by minimizing issues like bubble formation and cell aggregation. These advancemen
ts hold great potential of PDMS modifications to create more efficient and reliable microfluidic devices, and consequently to expand its applications in the biomedical and microfluidic fields.
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