Sensitive Micromixer for Detecting Low Concentrations of Ibuprofen

Abstract

In recent years, scientific research has been associated with diminishment the size of analytical tools with simultaneous improving their characteristics. In this regard, one of the most perspective areas is the microfluidic-based analytical platform. The utilization of microfluidic approach enables the analysis of small volumes of fluids (micro-and nanoliters). In addition, the microfluidic makes it possible to develop a new class of equipment -the so-called complex laboratory (Lab-on-a-chip) devices that allow analyzing complex analytes in various mixtures. In present work, the microfluidic-based micromixer with incorporated AuMs (gold multibranched NPs) nanoparticles with surface grafted oleophilic chemical moieties for detection of pharmaceutics with low solubility in water (ibuprofen has been used as a model compound due to the fact that this is a common pharmaceutics contaminant) was demonstrated. The proposed microfluidic device utilizes the unique advantages of microfluidic, which explores the unusual behavior of liquids limited by microscale and Surface-Enhanced Raman (SERS), capable of recognizing one molecule of the target analyte. The proposed approach is especially relevant in medical diagnostics to determine the drug digestibility and environment monitoring and protection areas.