Use of photopatterned porous polymer monoliths as passive micromixers to enhance mixing efficiency of on-chip labeling reactions

摘要

In order to increase the extent of reaction for on-chip fluorescent labeling of proteins, a passive mixer has been prepared by using UV light to photopattern a periodic arrangement of porous polymer monolith structures directly within the channel of a plastic microfluidic chip. By optimizing the composition of the polymerization solution and irradiation time we demonstrated the ability to photopattern monoliths in regularly repeating 100 μm segments at the tee-junction of the disposable device. To evaluate the efficiency of this dual functional mixer-reactor, fluorescamine and lysine were introduced in separate channels upstream of the tee-junction and the intensity of laser-induced fluorescence resulting from the fluorogenic labeling reaction was monitored. The fluorescence level after passing the photopatterned periodic monolith configuration was better than both an equivalent 1 cm long continuous monolithic segment and an open channel. These results indicate that the periodic arrangement of monoliths, with regularly spaced open areas between 100 μm plugs, is responsible for enhancing the mixing performance and overall rate of chemical reaction carried out in the system. In addition to facilitating preparation of a dual functional mixer-reactor, the ability to accurately photopattern monoliths in a channel is an enabling technology for seamlessly integrating multiple monoliths into a single microdevice.