Laser induced surface modification of polydimethylsiloxane as a super-hydrophobic material

Formation of a Controllable Diffusion Barrier Layer on the Surface of Polydimethylsiloxane Films by Infrared Laser Irradiation

Developing a diffusion barrier layer on material interfaces has potential applications in various fields such as in packaging materials, pharmaceuticals, chemical filtration, microelectronics, and medical devices. Although numerous physical and chemical methods have been proposed to generate the diffusion barrier layer, the complexity of fabrication techniques and the high manufacturing costs limit their practical utility. Here, we propose an innovative approach to fabricate the diffusion barrier layer by irradiating poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) with a mid-infrared (λ = 10.6 μm) CO2 laser. This process directly creates a diffusion barrier layer on the PDMS surface by forming a heavily cross-linked network in the polymer matrix. The optimal irradiation conditions were investigated by modulating the defocusing distance, laser power, and number of scanning passes. The barrier thickness can reach up to 70 μm as observed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The attenuated total reflectance (ATR), electron dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses collectively confirmed the formation of the SiOx structure on the modified surface based on the decreased methyl group signal and the increased oxygen/silicon ratio. The diffusion test with the model drugs (rhodamine B and donepezil) demonstrated that the modified surface exhibits effective diffusion barrier properties and the rate of drug diffusion through the modified barrier layer can be controlled by the optimization of the irradiation parameters. This novel approach provides the possibility to develop a controllable diffusion barrier layer in a biocompatible polymer with prospective applications in the fields of pharmaceuticals, packing materials, and medical devices.

Effect of Photoinitiators Doped in PDMS for Femtosecond-Laser Writing: Characterization and Outcomes

Herein, we have characterized in depth the effect of femtosecond (fs)-laser writing on various polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based composites. The study combines systematic and nanoscale characterizations for the PDMS blends that include various photoinitiators (organic and inorganic agents) before and after fs-laser writing. The results exhibit that the photoinitiators can dictate the mechanical properties of the PDMS, in which Young's modulus of PDMS composites has higher elasticity. The study illustrates a major improvement in refractive index change by 15 times higher in the case of PDMS/BP-Ge [benzophenone (BP) allytriethylgermane] and Irgacure 184. Additional enhancement was achieved in the optical performance levels of the PDMS composites (the PDMS composites of Irgacure 184/500, BP-Ge, and Ge-ATEG have a relative difference of less than 5% in comparison with pristine PDMS), which are on par with glasses. This insightful study can guide future investigators in choosing photoinitiators for particular applications in photonics and polymer chemistry.

On the Mixed Gas Behavior of Organosilica Membranes Fabricated by Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD)

Selective, nanometer-thin organosilica layers created by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) exhibit selective gas permeation behavior. Despite their promising pure gas performance, published data with regard to mixed gas behavior are still severely lacking. This study endeavors to close this gap by investigating the pure and mixed gas behavior depending on temperatures from 0 °C to 60 °C for four gases (helium, methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen) and water vapor. For the two permanent gases, helium and methane, the studied organosilica membrane shows a substantial increase in selectivity from α_He/CH4 = 9 at 0 °C to α_He/CH4 = 40 at 60 °C for pure as well as mixed gases with helium permeance of up to 300 GPU. In contrast, a condensable gas such as CO₂ leads to a decrease in selectivity and an increase in permeance compared to its pure gas performance. When water vapor is present in the feed gas, the organosilica membrane shows even stronger deviations from pure gas behavior with a permeance loss of about 60 % accompanied by an increase in ideal selectivity α_He/CO2 from 8 to 13. All in all, the studied organosilica membrane shows very promising results for mixed gases. Especially for elevated temperatures, there is a high potential for separation by size exclusion.

Superhydrophobic Polydimethylsiloxane via Nanocontact Molding of Solvent Crystallized Polycarbonate: Optimized Fabrication, Mechanistic Investigation, and Application Potential

Herein, we describe a benchtop protocol to create superhydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) via nanocontact molding of polycarbonate (PC) that was crystallized by controlled solvent treatment. The crystallized PC chains rearrange into a network of spherulites (spherical semicrystalline domains); the overall surface is rough on the micrometer-scale, while the spherulites themselves consist of nanoscale features. It was confirmed via conventional spectroscopic and high-resolution microscopic investigation that such hierarchical roughness is key to the development of superhydrophobic PC and the substantial enhancement upon PDMS molding. Thus, the prepared PDMS surface has excellent superhydrophobicity with an optimized contact angle of 172 ± 1° and a sliding angle of <1°, superior to those prepared from more elaborate techniques, such as plasma sputtering and laser etching. More importantly, the knowledge acquired regarding the structural transition and superhydrophobicity development would be beneficial to engineering and evaluating templates for many other polymeric nanostructures and functional surfaces.

TiO2 doped polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Luffa cylindrica based photocatalytic nanosponge to absorb and desorb oil in diatom solar panels

Our previous report(s) demonstrated that piezoelectric disc fabricated diatom solar panels worked as micro resonating devices. Such devices have potential to harvest oils from living diatom cultures. However, it is observed that the collection and separation of oil from culture media using these devices are found to be difficult due to the presence of both living and dead diatom cells, which simultaneously get collected during this process. In this study we made a highly biocompatible nanosponge using TiO₂ nanoparticle doped polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Luffa cylindrica. Such hybrid nanosponge selectively absorbs and desorbs oil on exposure to ultraviolet light. The fabricated PDMS-Luffa-TiO₂ nanosponge was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy to show the surface characteristics and affinity of nanoparticles to the membranous structure of PDMS-Luffa. A maximum 38% oil absorption was found in PDMS-Luffa-TiO₂ nanosponge which was almost double that of sponges made up of PDMS (19%), PDMS-Luffa (18%) and PDMS-TiO₂ coated (24%). Thus PDMS-Luffa-TiO₂ nanosponge serves as a selective and recyclable oil absorption membranous structure. Furthermore, this hybrid nanosponge exhibited excellent recyclability by repeated absorption–desorption processes on exposure to UV light.

Our previous report(s) demonstrated that piezoelectric disc fabricated diatom solar panels worked as micro resonating devices.

Roll-to-Roll Nanoforming of Metals Using Laser-Induced Superplasticity

This Letter describes a low-cost, scalable nanomanufacturing process that enables the continuous forming of thin metallic layers with nanoscale accuracy using roll-to-roll, laser-induced superplasticity (R2RLIS). R2RLIS uses a laser shock to induce the ultrahigh-strain-rate deformation of metallic films at room temperature into low-cost polymeric nanomolds, independently of the original grain size of the metal. This simple and inexpensive nanoforming method does not require access to cleanrooms and associated facilities, and can be easily implemented on conventional CO₂ lasers, enabling laser systems commonly used for rapid prototyping or industrial cutting and engraving to fabricate uniform and three-dimensional crystalline metallic nanostructures over large areas. Tuning the laser power during the R2RLIS process enables the control of the aspect ratio and the mechanical and optical properties of the fabricated nanostructures. This roll-to-roll technique successfully fabricates mechanically strengthened gold plasmonic nanostructures with aspect ratios as high as 5 that exhibit high oxidation resistance and strong optical field enhancements. The CO₂ laser used in R2RLIS can also integrate the fabricated nanostructures on transparent flexible substrates with robust interfacial contact. The ability to fabricate ultrasmooth metallic nanostructures using roll-to-roll manufacturing enables the large scale production, at a relatively low-cost, of flexible plasmonic devices toward emerging applications.

Writing Wrinkles on Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) by Surface Oxidation with a CO2 Laser Engraver

Surface wrinkles formed by the buckling of a strained stiff layer attached to a soft elastomer foundation have been widely used in a variety of applications. Micropatterning of wrinkled topographies is, however, limited by process/system complexities. In this article, we report an approach to write surface wrinkles with desired pattern geometries on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) elastomers using a commercial infrared laser engraver with a spot size of 127 μm. Wrinkled micropatterns with wavelength from <50 to >300 μm were obtained in minutes without using special facilities or atmospheres. The minimal achievable pattern sizes of one-dimensional and two-dimensional patterns and the change of the minimal achievable pattern size with wrinkle orientation were investigated under a given set of operating parameters. Sub-spot size patterning was also demonstrated. To reduce surface cracking, a typical problem in large-area wrinkle patterning, a patterning scheme that separates neighboring laser exposure areas by nonexposure gaps was developed. In addition, micropatterns with gradient wrinkles were created on the surface. This is the first report that patterns microscale surface wrinkles on elastomer surfaces using infrared laser irradiation. The simple and versatile approach is expected to provide a fast yet controllable way to create wrinkled micropatterns at low cost to facilitate a broad array of studies in surface engineering, cellular biomechanics, and optics.

Fabrics coated with hot-iron-treated graphene oxide for a self-cleaning and mechanically robust water–oil separation material

A simple method was reported to fabricate self-cleaning and water–oil separation fabrics sprayed with hot-iron-treated graphene oxide (GO).

Laser processing of polymer constructs from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)

CO2 laser radiation was used to process poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) constructs - films and 3D pressed plates. Laser processing increased the biocompatibility of unperforated films treated with moderate uniform radiation, as estimated by the number and degree of adhesion of NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells. The biocompatibility of perforated films modified in the pulsed mode did not change significantly. At the same time, pulsed laser processing of the 3D plates produced perforated scaffolds with improved mechanical properties and high biocompatibility with bone marrow-derived multipotent, mesenchymal stem cells, which show great promise for bone regeneration.

Biomaterials in cardiovascular research: applications and clinical implications

Cardiovascular biomaterials (CB) dominate the category of biomaterials based on the demand and investments in this field. This review article classifies the CB into three major classes, namely, metals, polymers, and biological materials and collates the information about the CB. Blood compatibility is one of the major criteria which limit the use of biomaterials for cardiovascular application. Several key players are associated with blood compatibility and they are discussed in this paper. To enhance the compatibility of the CB, several surface modification strategies were in use currently. Some recent applications of surface modification technology on the materials for cardiovascular devices were also discussed for better understanding. Finally, the current trend of the CB, endothelization of the cardiac implants and utilization of induced human pluripotent stem cells (ihPSCs), is also presented in this review. The field of CB is growing constantly and many new investigators and researchers are developing interest in this domain. This review will serve as a one stop arrangement to quickly grasp the basic research in the field of CB.

Three-dimensional large-scale microfluidic integration by laser ablation of interlayer connections

Multilayer Soft Lithography (MSL) is a robust and mature fabrication technique for the rapid prototyping of microfluidic circuits having thousands of integrated valves. Despite the success and wide application of this method, it is fundamentally a planar fabrication technique which imposes serious design constraints on channel routing, feature density, and fluid handling complexity. We present here methods and related instrumentation to remove these limitations by combining the advantages of MSL processing with laser micromachining using a CO(2) laser ablation system. This system is applied to both the dense integration of layer-layer interconnects and the direct writing of microchannels. Real-time image recognition and computer control allow for robust wafer-scale registration of laser ablation features with moulded channel structures. Ablation rates of up to 8 Hz are achieved with positional accuracy of approximately 20 microm independent of mechanical distortions in the elastomer substrate. We demonstrate these capabilities in the design and fabrication of a production scale multi-laminate micromixer that achieves sub-millisecond mixing of two streams at flow rates up to 1 mL min(-1). The marriage of laser micromachining with MSL-based valve integration allows for high-yield fabrication of topologically complex microfluidic circuits having thousands of layer-layer interconnects and integrated valves.

Surface Engineered Polymeric Biomaterials with Improved Biocontact Properties

We present many examples of surface engineered polymeric biomaterials with nanosize modified layers, controlled protein adsorption, and cellular interactions potentially applicable for tissue and/or blood contacting devices, scaffolds for cell culture and tissue engineering, biosensors, biological microchips as well as approaches to their preparation.

A conventional route to scalable morphology-controlled regular structures and their superhydrophobic/hydrophilic properties for biochips application

We use a conventional and straightforward route to fabricate scalable morphology-controlled regular structures. This route is based on the etching of PDMS microlens array in CF4 and CF4/O2 plasma. PDMS microlens array can be changed to regularly isolated microdot structures array in CF4 plasma. Microbowl shaped structures array can be reached in CF4/O2 plasma. Moreover, a set of structures after CF4 plasma treatment display superhydrophobicity, while a set of structures after CF4/O2 plasma treatment present hydrophilicity. DNA molecules can be readily enriched on the hydrophilic surface. We believe that the regular structure array surfaces provide a useful inspiration towards biomolecular detection and transportation in biochips.

Formation of superhydrophobic poly(dimethysiloxane) by ultrafast laser-induced surface modification

The formation of hemispherical nanostructures and microscaled papilla by ultrafast laser irradiation was found to be a potential method to generate superhydrophbic surface of synthetic polymers. Irradiation of femtosecond laser creates roughened poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surface in nano- and microscales, of which topography fairly well imitate a Lotus leaf in nature. The modified surface showed superhydrophobicity with a contact angle higher than 170 degrees as well as sliding angle less than 3 degrees. We further demonstrated that negative replica of the processed PDMS surface exhibit large contact angle hysteresis with a sliding angle of 90 degrees while the positive replica maintains superhydrophobicity.

Laser processing for bio-microfluidics applications (part I)

This paper reviews applications of laser-based techniques to the fabrication of microfluidic devices for biochips and addresses some of the challenges associated with the manufacture of these devices. Special emphasis is placed on the use of lasers for the rapid prototyping and production of biochips in particular for applications in which silicon is not the preferred material base. Part I of this review addresses applications and devices using UV lasers for laser ablation and surface treatment of microchannels, in particular in polymers.

Characterization of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) properties for biomedical micro/nanosystems

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS Sylgard 184, Dow Corning Corporation) pre-polymer was combined with increasing amounts of cross-linker (5.7, 10.0, 14.3, 21.4, and 42.9 wt.%) and designated PDMS1, PDMS2, PDMS3, PDMS4, and PDMS5, respectively. These materials were processed by spin coating and subjected to common micro-fabrication, micro-machining, and biomedical processes: chemical immersion, oxygen plasma treatment, sterilization, and exposure to tissue culture media. The PDMS formulations were analyzed by gravimetry, goniometry, tensile testing, nano-indentation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Spin coating of PDMS was formulation dependent with film thickness ranging from 308 microm on PDMS1 to 171 microm on PDMS5 at 200 revolutions per minute (rpm). Ultimate tensile stress (UTS) increased from 3.9 MPa (PDMS1) to 10.8 MPa (PDMS3), and then decreased down to 4.0 MPa (PDMS5). Autoclave sterilization (AS) increased the storage modulus (sigma) and UTS in all formulations, with the highest increase in UTS exhibited by PDMS5 (218%). PDMS surface hydrophilicity and micro-textures were generally unaffected when exposed to the different chemicals, except for micro-texture changes after immersion in potassium hydroxide and buffered hydrofluoric, nitric, sulfuric, and hydrofluoric acids; and minimal changes in contact angle after immersion in hexane, hydrochloric acid, photoresist developer, and toluene. Oxygen plasma treatment decreased the contact angle of PDMS2 from 109 degrees to 60 degrees. Exposure to tissue culture media resulted in increased PDMS surface element concentrations of nitrogen and oxygen.

Investigating the interface of superhydrophobic surfaces in contact with water

Neutron reflectivity (NR) is used to probe the solid, liquid, vapor interface of a porous superhydrophobic (SH) surface submerged in water. A low-temperature, low-pressure technique was used to prepare a rough, highly porous organosilica aerogel-like film. UV/ozone treatments were used to control the surface coverage of hydrophobic organic ligands on the silica framework, allowing the contact angle with water to be continuously varied over the range of 160 degrees (superhydrophobic) to <10 degrees (hydrophilic). NR shows that the superhydrophobic nature of the surface prevents infiltration of water into the porous film. Atomic force microscopy and density functional theory simulations are used in combination to interpret the NR results and help establish the location, width, and nature of the SH film-water interface.

Laser surface modification of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) membrane for tissue engineering applications

Ultra-thin polycaprolactone (PCL) produced by bi-axial stretching was previously shown to have significant advantage for membrane tissue engineering. However, the permeability of the membrane needs to be enhanced. In this study, ablation experiments using femtosecond laser and excimer laser were carried out to modify the PCL surface. The use of the femtosecond laser produces neat drilled-through holes while the excimer laser is employed to produce blind-holes on the membrane. The modified surface of the membrane was studied and analyzed for different laser parameters (such as pulse energy and pulse repetition rate and characterized using several techniques that include optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and water contact angle measurements). Results showed that the morphological surface changes with different laser parameters, and the water contact angle decreases as the surface of the membrane is modified. The decrease in water contact angle suggests that surface of the membrane had become more hydrophilic than the non-laser treated membrane. The present study demonstrated that laser surface modification on the PCL can be achieved with high degree of success and precision. This paved the way for further enhancement in membrane tissue engineering.

The effect of formation of the liquid crystalline phase on the blood compatibility of a cholesterol modified silicone

Cholesterol modified silicones were synthesized by grafting copolymerization of 10-Cholesteryloxydecanol onto polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS). Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H-NMR) spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) confirmed the chemical structures of polymers. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM) results indicated the mesogenic properties of those polymers. The modified silicone with 45% 10-Cholesteryloxydecanyl (SC45) indicated obvious thermotropic liquid crystalline transform at about 122-124.9 degrees C. The thermotropic liquid crystalline phase could be retained at room temperature via a special annealing/quenching process. The anneal-quenched film (SC45C) formed continuous liquid crystalline phase, whereas the unannealed films presented amorphous structure. The blood compatibility of the coatings was assessed from SEM observation of the platelet's adhesion to coating surface and plasma recalcification time (PRT). The results revealed that the formation of the liquid crystalline phase could greatly improve the in vitro blood compatibility of the materials. The positive results of liquid crystalline onto haemocompatibility allow broad potential in biomaterials.

Laser surface modification of silicone rubber to reduce platelet adhesion in vitro

To improve the blood compatibility, the surface of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films were irradiated using a CO2-pulsed laser. Acrylamide (AAm) was grafted onto a pre-irradiated surface. The AAm-grafted and laser-treated films were characterized using different techniques. Platelet adhesion and activation onto the AAm-grafted PDMS, laser-treated (ungrafted) and unmodified PDMS film surfaces were compared. Data from in vitro assays indicated that the platelet adhesion was reduced on the AAm-grafted PDMS and laser treated PDMS films in comparison with the unmodified PDMS. The laser-irradiated sample showed the minimum platelet adhesion. It seems that laser irradiation onto a silicone rubber surface is a versatile technique to produce anti-thrombogenic surface for biomaterial applications.

A simple approach to micropatterning and surface modification of poly(dimethylsiloxane)

Ozone treatment is an efficient economical, alternative method for surface activation of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). This is illustrated by the derivatization of a PDMS surface with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES). The apparent surface concentration of amino groups was found to be ca. 10(-8) mol/cm2 using UV/visible spectroscopy of the product from the reaction of the amino groups and fluorescamine. Potential application for micropatterning of biologically active interfaces was demonstrated by the covalent immobilization of oligonucleotides. A simple process for photolithographic patterning on PDMS surfaces has been developed.

BHK cells behaviour on laser treated polydimethylsiloxane surface

The surface of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was modified using a CO2-pulsed laser to evaluate the changes in physical and biological properties of the treated surface. Attachment of anchorage dependent cells, namely baby hamster kidney (BHK) fibroblastic cells, on PDMS surface was investigated in stationary culture conditions. BHK cell adhesion and growth on the PDMS surfaces were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. To evaluate the surface wettability, water drop contact angles were determined. The laser treated PDMS surfaces showed high hydrophobicity and low cell adhesion, no spreading and growth in comparison with the unmodified PDMS. It was found that both the wettability and surface structure of the PDMS surface control cell attachment and growth.