Solution and surface composition gradients via microfluidic confinement: Fabrication of a statistical-copolymer-brush composition gradient Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • A facile method introduced to generate solutions with continuous composition gradients using microfluidic techniques was investigated. The uniqueness of the approach was the ability of the microchannel to preserve solution gradient profiles over a long period of time. The solution gradient inside the microchannel was generated by continuously changing the relative flow rates of the input solutions as the channel is filled. The generation and the maintenance of a gradient inside a microchannel was verified by Raman spectroscopy. The formed gradient was confirmed by water contact angle measurements and NEXAFS spectroscopy. The results show that micro-channels could be used as a unique reaction environment for the fabrication of surface materials with well-defined composition gradients. Gradients in statistical-copolymer composition have potential to accelerate discovery and understanding of a number of interfacial phenomena related to nanotechnology, microfluidics, and electronics.

published proceedings

  • ADVANCED MATERIALS

author list (cited authors)

  • Xu, C., Barnes, S. E., Wu, T., Fischer, D. A., DeLongchamp, D. M., Batteas, J. D., & Beers, K. L.

citation count

  • 58

complete list of authors

  • Xu, Chang||Barnes, Susan E||Wu, Tao||Fischer, Daniel A||DeLongchamp, Dean M||Batteas, James D||Beers, Kathryn L

publication date

  • June 2006

publisher