Towards disposable lab-on-a-chip: Poly(methylmethacrylate) microchip electrophoresis device with electrochemical detection

Abstract

A fully disposable microanalytical device based on combination of poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) capillary electrophoresis microchips and thick-film electrochemical detector strips is described. Variables influencing the separation efficiency and amperometric response, including separation voltage or detection potential are assessed and optimized. The versatility, simplicity and low-cost advantages of the new design are coupled to an attractive analytical performance, with good precision (relative standard deviation RSD = 1.68% for n = 10). Applicability for assays of mixtures of hydrazine, phenolic compounds, and catecholamines is demonstrated. Such coupling of low-cost PMMA-based microchips with thick-film electrochemical detectors holds great promise for mass production of single-use micrototal analytical systems.

Fast and versatile fabrication of PMMA microchip electrophoretic devices by laser engraving

“…Due to its high mechanic and chemical stability, optical transparency, and excellent dielectric properties [22], PMMA has become one of the most popular substrates for ME systems. These properties have also allowed for the development of different fabrication methods including hot embossing [23], injection molding [24], and laser engraving [25,26]. The latter is one of the most widely-used, non-contact type machining process in industry and can be applied across a wide range of materials [27].…”

Rapid fabrication of polymer microfluidic systems for the production of artificial lipid bilayers

“…Following embossing, the PMMA films were aligned and bonded using both solvent (Wang et al 2002) and thermal bonding methods. In the case of the former, the surface of an embossed sample and a base plate were first treated using a reactive ion etching machine with an oxygen plasma (5 min at 100 W, 32 mT and 30 SCCM O 2 ).…”

Polymer Based Microchip for Combined Capillary Electrophoresis and Electrochemical Detection

“…Among several biological targets, we focused the development of this CE-ECD microchip on two different neurotransmitters -Catechol and Dopamine -which present particular interest in both psychotic and metabolic human disorders [23][24][25]. Particularly both compounds are strongly related to Parkinson's syndrome [26].…”