Superhydrophilic Surfaces for Antifoqging and Antifouling Microfluidic Devices

Abstract

Superhydrophilic surfaces are investigated for their potential to provide antifogging and antifouling properties for microfluidic devices. Two types of exemplary superhydrophilic surfaces are prepared, including polyester films treated by oxygen plasma and indium tin oxide-coated glasses treated by an electrochemical method. The superhydrophilicity of the treated surfaces presented herein is confirmed by their near-zero water contact angles. Their corresponding antifogging and antifouling capability is examined. The fluorescence microscopic study has confirmed the significantly reduced adhesion of the fluorescein and fluorescent proteins after the surfaces are treated to be superhydrophilic, indicating their potential for antifouling applications. The degradation of the superhydrophilicity under different humidity conditions is also investigated.

Preparation of hydrophilic PCL nanofiber scaffolds via electrospinning of PCL/PVP-b-PCL block copolymers for enhanced cell biocompatibility

“…However, the PCL/PVP-b-PCL (70/30, w/w) nanofiber scaffold did not show enhanced cell adhesion. It has been reported that when the surface of a scaffold is too hydrophilic, a thin layer of water can be formed, interfering with direct contact between the scaffold and cellular membranes, consequently preventing protein adhesion [17][18][19][20]. This result suggests that there is an optimal range for scaffold surface hydrophilicity.…”

Tunable Surface Properties of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles from Highly Hydrophobic to Highly Hydrophilic

“…This is due to the extensive range of potential applications from self-cleaning, anti-icing, and waterproofing using superhydrophobic surfaces, 1−5 to antifogging and antifouling using superhydrophilic surfaces. 6−9 By mimicking the surface structure as of natural phenomena (e.g., lotus and rice leaves, butterfly wings, etc. ), researchers have reported processes to control the surface hydrophobicity.…”

Smart durable and self-healing textile coatings

“…In contrast to creating hydrophobic and oleophobic surfaces, positive results have been obtained by creating extremely hydrophilic surfaces. The reasoning behind this is that fouling (organic) molecules are partially composed of long-chain hydrocarbon segments that are strongly repelled by the superhydrophilic surface properties (Patel et al, 2010).…”