Microfluidic devices comprising fluid flow paths having a monolithic chromatographic material
Aspects of the invention include a microfluidic device having a fluid flow path and a monolithic chromatographic material covalently bound to at least a portion of a polymeric surface of the fluid flow path. Aspects of the invention further include methods of making and using such devices.
1 . A microfluidic device comprising:
a fluid flow path having a polymeric surface; and
a monolithic chromatographic material covalently bound to at least a portion of said polymeric surface.
2 . The microfluidic device according to claim 1 , wherein said monolithic chromatographic material fills at least a portion of said fluid flow path.
3 . The microfluidic device according to claim 2 , wherein said fluid flow path is straight.
4 . The microfluidic device according to claim 2 , wherein said fluid flow path is not straight.
5 . The microfluidic device according to claim 1 , wherein said polymeric surface comprises polyimide.
6 . The microfluidic device according to claim 1 , wherein said monolithic chromatographic material has a porosity ranging from 0.5 nm to 4000 nm.
7 . The microfluidic device according to claim 1 , wherein said monolithic chromatographic material is styrenic.
8 . The microfluidic device according to claim 1 , wherein said monolithic chromatographic material is acrylic.
9 . The microfluidic device according to claim 1 , wherein said microfluidic device has a chip configuration.
10 . The microfluidic device according to claim 1 , wherein said device is coupled to a detector.
11 . A method of producing a microfluidic device comprising a fluid flow path comprising a chromatographic material, said method comprising:
(a) filling at least a portion of said fluid flow path having a functionalized polymeric surface with a polymerization mixture of precursor reagents of a monolithic chromatographic material; and
(b) polymerizing said polymerization mixture to produce a microfluidic device comprising a monolithic chromatographic material covalently bound to at least a portion of said polymeric surface of said flow path.
12 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein said precursor reagents comprise monomers.
13 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein said monomers are styrenic monomers.
14 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein said monomers are acrylic monomers.
15 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein said precursor reagents comprise a porogen.
16 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein said polymerizing comprises applying heat to said polymerization mixture.
17 . The method according to claim 11 , wherein said functionalized polymeric surface is a functionalized polyimide surface.
18 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein said method further comprises preparing said functionalized polyimide surface by a method comprising:
providing a microfluidic device comprising a fluid flow path having a polyimide surface; and
producing carboxylic functional groups on at least a portion of said polymide surface to produce said functionalized polyimide surface.
19 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein said carboxyl functional groups are produced by contacting said portion with a basic fluid for a period of time sufficient to produce said carboxylic functional groups on said portion.
20 . A method of processing a fluid, said method comprising:
providing a microfluidic device having a fluid flow path that comprises:
a polymeric surface; and
a monolithic chromatographic material covalently bound to at least
a portion of said polymeric surface; and
flowing said fluid through a fluid flow path.
21 . The method according to claim 20 , wherein said method is a chromatographic method.
22 . A system comprising:
a microfluidic device comprising:
a fluid flow path having a polymeric surface; and
a monolithic chromatographic material covalently bound to at least
a portion of said polymeric surface; and
a detector.
23 . A kit comprising:
a microfluidic device comprising:
a fluid flow path having a polymeric surface; and
a monolithic chromatographic material covalently bound to at least
a portion of said polymeric surface; and
a solvent.