Development of an acrylate monolith in a cyclo-olefin copolymer microfluidic device for chip electrochromatography separation

Electrophoresis. 2008 Dec;29(24):4948-55. doi: 10.1002/elps.200800235.

Abstract

An acrylate monolith has been synthesized into a cyclic olefin copolymer microdevice for reversed-phase electrochromatography purposes. Microchannels, designed by hot embossing, were filled up with an acrylate monolith to serve as a hydrophobic stationary phase. A lauryl acrylate monolith was formulated to suit the hydrophobic material, by implementing 100% organic porogenic solvent. This new composition was tested in capillary prior to its transfer into the microfluidic device. Surface functionalization of the cyclic olefin copolymer surface was applied using UV-grafting technique to improve the covalent attachment of this monolith to the plastic walls of the microfluidic chip. The on-chip performances of this monolith were evaluated in detail for the reversed-phase electrochromatographic separation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, with plate heights reaching down to 10 microm when working at optimal velocity.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acrylates / chemistry*
  • Capillary Electrochromatography / instrumentation*
  • Capillary Electrochromatography / methods*
  • Cycloparaffins / chemistry*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / methods
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / analysis
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / isolation & purification*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Reproducibility of Results

Substances

  • Acrylates
  • Cycloparaffins
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Polymers
  • acrylic acid