Carbon nanotube dielectrophoresis: Theory and applications

Single-walled carbon nanotube-protein complex: A strategy to improve the immune response to protein in mice

Vaccines represent an effective tool for controlling disease infection. As a key component of vaccines, many types of adjuvants have been developed and used today. This study is designed to investigate the efficacy of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as a new adjuvant. The results showed that SWCNT could adsorb the antigen by intermolecular action, and the adsorption rate was significantly higher after dispersion of the SWCNTs in a sonic bath. The titer of specific antibody of mice in the SWCNTs group was higher than that of the mice in the antigen control group, confirming the adjuvant efficacy of SWCNTs. During immunisation, the specific antibody was detected earlier in the mice of the SWCNTs group, especially when the amount of antigen was reduced. And it was proved that the titer of antibodies was higher after subcutaneous and intraperitoneal injection compared to intramuscular injection. Most importantly, the mice immunised with SWCNTs showed almost the same level of immunity as the mice in the FCA (Freund's complete adjuvant) group, indicating that the SWCNTs were an effective adjuvant. In addition, the mice in the SWCNT group maintained antibody levels for 90 days after the last booster vaccination and showed a good state of health during the observed period. We also found that the SWCNTs were able to induce macrophages activation and enhance antigen uptake by mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Compensation of capacitive currents in high-throughput dielectrophoretic separators

Separation and classification are important operations in particle technology, but they are still limited in terms of suspended particles in the micrometer and nanometer size-range. Electrical fields can be beneficial for sorting such particles according to material properties. A mechanism based on strong and inhomogeneous fields is dielectrophoresis (DEP). It can be used to separate microparticles according to their material properties, such as conductivity and permittivity, by selectively trapping one particle type while the other can pass the separator. Conventional DEP-separators show either a limitation in throughput or frequency bandwidth. A low throughput limits the economical feasibility in many cases. A lower frequency bandwidth limits the variety of materials that can be sorted by DEP. To separate semiconducting particles from a mixture containing particles with higher conductivity according to their material, high frequencies are required. Possible applications are the separation of semiconducting and metallic carbon nanotubes or the separation of carbon-coated lithium iron phosphate particles from graphite in the recycling process of spent lithium-ion batteries. In this publication, we aim to display how to tune the electrical impedance of a high-throughput DEP separator based on custom-designed printed circuit boards to increase its frequency bandwidth. By adding inductors to the electrical circuit, we were able to increase the frequency bandwidth from 500 kHz to over 11 MHz. The experiments in this study act as proof-of-principle. Furthermore, a non-deterministic way to increase the impedance of the setup is shown, yielding a maximum frequency of 39.16 MHz.

On the behavior of sub-micrometer polystyrene particles subjected to AC insulator-based dielectrophoresis

Polymer beads, especially polystyrene particles, have been extensively used as model species in insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) studies. Their use in alternating current iDEP (AC-iDEP) is less explored; however, an assessment in the low-frequency regime (≤10 kHz) allows to link surface conduction effects with the surface properties of polymer particles. Here, we provide a case study for various experimental conditions assessing sub-micrometer polystyrene particles with AC-iDEP and link to accepted surface conduction theory to predict and experimentally verify the observed AC-iDEP trapping behavior based on apparent zeta potential and solution conductivity. We find excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions, but also the occurrence of concentration polarization electroosmotic flow under the studied conditions, which have the potential to confound acting dielectrophoresis conditions. Furthermore, we study a case relevant to the assessment of microplastics in human and animal body fluids by mimicking the protein adsorption of high abundant proteins in blood by coating polystyrene beads with bovine serum albumin, a highly abundant protein in blood. Theoretical predictions and experimental observations confirm a difference in observed AC-iDEP behavior between coated and non-coated particles, which might be exploited for future studies of microplastics in blood to assess their exposure to humans and animals.

Numerical modeling reveals improved organelle separation for dielectrophoretic ratchet migration

Organelle size varies with normal and abnormal cell function. Thus, size-based particle separation techniques are key to assessing the properties of organelle subpopulations differing in size. Recently, insulator-based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) has gained significant interest as a technique to manipulate sub-micrometer-sized particles enabling the assessment of organelle subpopulations. Based on iDEP, we recently reported a ratchet device that successfully demonstrated size-based particle fractionation in combination with continuous flow sample injection. Here, we used a numerical model to optimize the performance with flow rates a factor of three higher than previously and increased the channel volume to improve throughput. We evaluated the amplitude and duration of applied low-frequency DC-biased AC potentials improving separation efficiency. A separation efficiency of nearly 0.99 was achieved with the optimization of key parameters-improved from 0.80 in previous studies (Ortiz et al. Electrophoresis, 2022;43;1283-1296)-demonstrating that fine-tuning the periodical driving forces initiating the ratchet migration under continuous flow conditions can significantly improve the fractionation of organelles of different sizes.

Semi-continuous dielectrophoretic separation at high throughput using printed circuit boards

Particle separation is an essential part of many processes. One mechanism to separate particles according to size, shape, or material properties is dielectrophoresis (DEP). DEP arises when a polarizable particle is immersed in an inhomogeneous electric field. DEP can attract microparticles toward the local field maxima or repulse them from these locations. In biotechnology and microfluidic devices, this is a well-described and established method to separate (bio-)particles. Increasing the throughput of DEP separators while maintaining their selectivity is a field of current research. In this study, we investigate two approaches to increase the overall throughput of an electrode-based DEP separator that uses selective trapping of particles. We studied how particle concentration affects the separation process by using two differently-sized graphite particles. We showed that concentrations up to 800 mg/L can be processed without decreasing the collection rate depending on the particle size. As a second approach to increase the throughput, parallelization in combination with two four-way valves, relays, and stepper motors was presented and successfully tested to continuously separate conducting from non-conducting particles. By demonstrating possible concentrations and enabling a semi-continuous process, this study brings the low-cost DEP setup based on printed circuit boards one step closer to real-world applications. The principle for semi-continuous processing is also applicable for other DEP devices that use trapping DEP.

Screen-printed interdigitated microelectrodes employment in dielectrophoretic manipulation of MWCNTs

As key enablers of Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things, sensors are among the first devices which are to encounter fast physical transformation (from rigid to flexible) as of large-scale utilization of printing technologies. In order to step-up this process, adaptation of conventional fabrication technologies (based on metallization) employed in sensors' development should be tested and demonstrated. Within this paper, we are reporting the functionality of dielectrophoresis (DEP) for electromanipulation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as sensing element, at the level of printed interdigitated electrodes. First, we present the flatbed screen-printed process of interdigitated microelectrodes on flexible substrate with tailored geometries employed afterwards for generating convenient dielectrophoretic forces of optimal magnitude and frequency for trapping MWCNTs. Successful dielectrophoresis operability of MWCNTs across silver-based screen-printed μIDE (interdigitated microelectrodes) provided with electrode gaps of ≈ 150 μm was validated and suitable values of the signal frequencies for avoiding parasitic electrokinetic phenomena (AC electro-osmosis, electrothermal effect) occurring simultaneously with DEP were identified. Time-dependent effect of DEP over MWCNTs bridges formation is discussed, as well as voltage magnitude contribution.

A numerical study on microfluidic devices to maintain the concentration and purity of dielectrophoresis-induced separated fractions of analyte

Determining the physical and chemical properties of biologically important particles such as cells, organelles, viruses, exosomes, complexes, nucleotides, and proteins is needed to understand their function. These properties are determined with common analytical tools (mass spectrometry, cryo-EM, NMR, various spectroscopies, nucleotide sequencing, etc.) whose function can be improved when samples are pure and concentrated. Separations science plays a central role in conditioning samples, ranging from low-resolution benchtop operations like precipitations or extractions to higher-resolution chromatography and electrophoresis. In the last two decades, gradient insulator-based dielectrophoresis (g-iDEP) has emerged as a high-resolution separation technique capable of highly selective enrichment of cells, viruses, exosomes, and proteins. Specific evidence has been shown that pure homogeneous and concentrated fractions of cells and exosomes can be generated from complex mixtures. However, recovering those fractions for analysis has not been developed, limiting the technique to an analytical rather than a preparative one. Here, a finite element analysis was undertaken to identify geometries and operational parameters to efficiently remove the enriched fraction while retaining maximum concentration and providing total mass transfer. Geometric factors (e.g., side channel width and distance from the gradient-inducing gap) were studied, along with the addition of a second inlet side channel. Two flow-generating mechanisms-electroosmosis and hydrostatic pressure-were evaluated for semi-optimized device designs, including a comparison of the one- and two-inlet designs. Simulations indicate effectively one hundred percent mass transfer and a concentration increase by an order of magnitude for several device configurations and operational parameters.

Dielectrophoretic alignment of carbon nanotubes: theory, applications, and future

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are nominated to be the successor of several semiconductors and metals due to their unique physical and chemical properties. It has been concerning that the anisotropic and low controllability of CNTs impedes their adoption in commercial applications. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is known as the electrokinetics motion of polarizable nanoparticles under the influence of nonuniform electric fields. The uniqueness of this phenomenon allows DEP to be employed as a novel method to align, assemble, separate, and manipulate CNTs suspended in liquid mediums. This article begins with a brief overview of CNT structure and production, with the emphasize on their electrical properties and response to electric fields. The DEP phenomenon as a CNT alignment method is demonstrated and graphically discussed, along with its theory, procedure, and parameters. We also discussed the side forces that arise in DEP systems and how they negatively or positively affect the CNT alignment. The article concludes with a brief review of CNT-based devices fabricated using DEP, as well as the method's limitations and future prospects.

Carbon-based nanomaterial intervention and efficient removal of various contaminants from effluents - A review

Water treatment is a worldwide issue. This review aims to present current problems and future challenges in water treatments with the existing methodologies. Carbon nanotube production, characterization, and prospective uses have been the subject of considerable and rigorous research around the world. They have a large number of technical uses because of their distinct physical characteristics. Various catalyst materials are used to make carbon nanotubes. This review's primary focus is on integrated and single-treatment technologies for all kinds of drinking water resources, including ground and surface water. Inorganic non-metallic matter, heavy metals, natural organic matter, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, disinfection by-products and microbiological pollutants are among the contaminants that these treatment systems can remediate in polluted drinking water resources. Significant advances in the antibacterial and adsorption capabilities of carbon-based nanomaterials have opened up new options for excluding organic/inorganic and biological contaminants from drinking water in recent years. The advancements in multifunctional nanocomposites synthesis pave the possibility for their use in enhanced wastewater purification system design. The adsorptive and antibacterial characteristics of six main kinds of carbon nanomaterials are single-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxide, fullerene and single-walled carbon nanohorns. This review potentially addressed the essential metallic and polymeric nanocomposites, are described and compared. Barriers to use these nanoparticles in long-term water treatment are also discussed.

Single layer aligned semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube array with high linear density

Highly ordered semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes(sc-SWCNTs) array with high purity, high linear density and controllable manner is strongly desired for carbon-based integrated circuits, yet it remains a big challenge. Herein, close-packed single layered and controllably aligned sc-SWCNTs arrays were obtained through dielectrophoresis using a high purity sc-SWCNT dispersion. Under optimized condition of length and average number of interconnecting junctions across the channel full of aligned sc-SWCNTs, field effect transistors (FETs) with high performance were achieved with both a high on/off current ratio and large carrier mobility. Based on the optimized channel length, by systematically optimizing the dielectrophoresis parameters of the frequency and duration of applied AC voltage (V_pp), the highly ordered sc-SWCNTs arrays with an ultra-high linear density of 54 ± 2 tubesμm^-1showed relatively high device performance of FET. The fabrication process optimized in this report can be further extended and applied in large-area, low-cost carbon-based integrated circuits.

Polymethyl(1-Butyric acidyl)silane-Assisted Dispersion and Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation Separation of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Individual single–walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with distinct electronic types are crucial for the fabrication of SWNTs–based electronic and magnetic devices. Herein, the water–soluble polymethyl(1–butyric acidyl)silane (BA–PMS) was synthesized via the hydrosilylation reaction between 3–butenoic acid and polymethylsilane catalyzed by 2,2′–azodibutyronitrile. As a new dispersant, BA–PMS displayed a quite good dispersing capacity to arc–discharged SWNTs and moderate selectivity for metallic species. The application of sucrose–DGU, the density gradient ultracentrifugation with sucrose as the gradient medium, to the co–surfactants (BA–PMS and sodium dodecyl sulfonate) individually dispersed SWNTs yielded metallic SWNTs of 85.6% purity and semiconducting SWNTs of 99% purity, respectively. This work paves a path to the DGU separation of the SWNTs dispersed by polymer–based dispersants with hydrophobic alkyl chains.

Continuous organelle separation in an insulator-based dielectrophoretic device

Heterogeneity in organelle size has been associated with devastating human maladies such as neurodegenerative diseases or cancer. Therefore, assessing the size-based subpopulation of organelles is imperative to understand the biomolecular foundations of these diseases. Here, we demonstrated a ratchet migration mechanism using insulator-based dielectrophoresis in conjunction with a continuous flow component that allows the size-based separation of submicrometer particles. The ratchet mechanism was realized in a microfluidic device exhibiting an array of insulating posts, tailoring electrokinetic and dielectrophoretic transport. A numerical model was developed to elucidate the particle migration and the size-based separation in various conditions. Experimentally, the size-based separation of a mixture of polystyrene beads (0.28 and 0.87 μ $\umu $ m) was accomplished demonstrating good agreement with the numerical model. Furthermore, the size-based separation of mitochondria was investigated using a mitochondria mixture isolated from HepG2 cells and HepG2 cells carrying the gene Mfn-1 knocked out, indicating distinct size-related migration behavior. With the presented continuous flow separation device, larger amounts of fractionated organelles can be collected in the future allowing access to the biomolecular signature of mitochondria subpopulations differing in size.

Assembly of long carbon nanotube bridges across transparent electrodes using novel thickness-controlled dielectrophoresis

The assembly of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) across planner electrodes using dielectrophoresis (DEP) is one of the standard methods used to fabricate CNT-based devices such as sensors. The medium drag velocity caused by electrokinetic phenomena such as electrothermal and electroosmotic might drive CNTs away from the deposition area. This problem becomes critical at large-scale electrode structures due to the high attenuation of the DEP force. Herein, we simulated and experimentally validated a novel DEP setup that uses a top glass cover to minimize the medium drag velocity. The simulation results showed that the drag velocity can be reduced by 2-3 orders of magnitude compared with the basic DEP setup. The simulation also showed that the optimum channel height to result in a significant drag velocity reduction was between 100 μm and 240 μm. We experimentally report, for the first time, the assembly and alignment of CNT bridges across indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes with spacing up to 125 μm. We also derived an equation to optimize the CNT's concentration in suspensions based on the electrode gap width and channel height. The deposition of long CNTs across ITO electrodes has potential use in transparent electronics and microfluidic systems.