title: Surface modification and characterization of microfabricated poly(carbonate) devices: manipulation of electroosmotic flow.
abstract: Poly(carbonate), PC, surfaces are chemically modified by treatment with sulfur trioxide gas. Sulfur trioxide gas sulfonates the aromatic rings of the poly(carbonate) surfaces, making the surfaces more hydrophilic. Sulfonation of the poly(carbonate) surface is confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. The modified polymer surfaces are found to be smoother in comparison to their unmodified counterparts, as noted by scanning force microscopy. The effects of the surface modification on electroosmotic flow are studied at a pH range of 4-10. The electroosmotic flow in sulfonated poly(carbonate) microchannels was found to be significantly higher than that in unmodified poly(carbonate) microchannels at pH values below 8.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803-1804, USA.
authors.forename: Bikas
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vaidya
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Soper
authors.forename: Robin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: McCarley
mesh_terms: D004586:Electrophoresis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D011108:Polymers; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers