Microwave plasma treatment of polymer surface for irreversible sealing of microfluidic devices

Lab Chip. 2005 Oct;5(10):1173-7. doi: 10.1039/b504271b. Epub 2005 Jul 19.

Abstract

Microwave plasma was generated in a glass bottle containing 2-3 Torr of oxygen for plasma treatment of a polymer surface. A "kitchen microwave oven" and a dedicated microwave digestion oven were used as the power source. Poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS) slabs treated by a 30 W plasma for 30-60 s sealed irreversibly to form microfluidic devices that can sustain solution flow of an applied pressure of 42 psi without leaking. Experimental set up and conditions for the production of a homogeneous plasma to activate the PDMS surface for irreversible sealing are described in detail. The surface of a microwave plasma-treated PDMS slab was characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and attenuated total reflection-Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The plasma-treated surface bears silica characteristics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / methods*
  • Microfluidics
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Microwaves
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Pressure
  • Silicon
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Surface Properties
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes
  • Polymers
  • Silicon