Surface molecular property modifications for poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) based microfluidic devices

Ieong Wong, Chih-Ming Ho

Fast advancements of microfabrication processes in past two decades have reached to a fairly matured stage that we can manufacture a wide range of microfluidic devices. At present, the main challenge is the control of nanoscale properties on the surface of lab-on-a-chip to satisfy the need for biomedical applications. For example, poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) is a commonly used material for microfluidic circuitry, yet the hydrophobic nature of PDMS surface suffers serious nonspecific protein adsorption. Thus the current major efforts are focused on surface molecular property treatments for satisfying specific needs in handling macro functional molecules. Reviewing surface modifications of all types of materials used in microfluidics will be too broad. This review will only summarize recent advances in nonbiofouling PDMS surface modification strategies applicable to microfluidic technology and classify them into two main categories: (1) physical approach including physisorption of charged or amphiphilic polymers and copolymers, as well as (2) chemical approach including self assembled monolayer and thick polymer coating. Pros and cons of a collection of available yet fully exploited surface modification methods are briefly compared among subcategories.