1
|
Liu B, Jin J, Ran B, Chen C, Li J, Qin N, Zhu Y. Continuous production of bimetallic nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes based on 3D-printed microfluidics. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:2565-2573. [PMID: 38224263 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr05090d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Nanoparticle-functionalized carbon nanotubes are promising in many research fields, especially in sensing, due to their intriguing performance in catalysis. However, these nanomaterials are mainly produced through batch processes under harsh conditions, thus encountering inherent limitations of low throughput and uncontrollable morphology of functional nanoparticles (NPs). In this work, we propose a method for high-yield and continuous production of bimetallic (Pt-Pd) NPs on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at room temperature through a custom 3D-printed microfluidic platform. A homogenous particle nucleation and growth environment could be created on the microfluidic platform that was equipped with two 3D-printed micromixers. Pt-Pd NPs loaded on MWCNTs were prepared in the microfluidic platform with high throughput and controlled size, dispersity and composition. The synthetic parameters for these nanocomposites were investigated to optimize their electrocatalytic performance. The optimized nanocomposites exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity with exceptional sensitivity and wide detection range, superior to their counterparts prepared via conventional approaches. This method proposed here could be further adapted for manufacturing other catalyst support materials, opening more avenues for future large-scale production and catalytic investigation of functional nanomaterials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liu
- School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Jing Jin
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Bin Ran
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Chaozhan Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Jiaqian Li
- School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
| | - Ning Qin
- School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
| | - Yonggang Zhu
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen C, Ran B, Liu B, Liu X, Zhang Z, Li Y, Li H, Lan M, Zhu Y. Multiplexed detection of biomarkers using a microfluidic chip integrated with mass-producible micropillar array electrodes. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1272:341450. [PMID: 37355325 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Quantifying multiple biomarkers with high sensitivity in tiny biological samples is essential to meet the growing demand for point-of-care testing. This paper reports the development of a novel microfluidic device integrated with mass-producible micropillar array electrodes (μAEs) for multiple biomarker detections. The μAE are mass-fabricated by soft lithography and hot embossing technique. Pt-Pd bimetallic nanoclusters (BNC) are modified on the surface of μAEs by constant potential (CP)/multi-potential step (MPS) electrodeposition strategies to improve the electroanalytical performance. The experimental result displays that Pt-Pd BNC/μAEs have good sensitivity enhancement compared with bare planar electrodes and bare μAEs, the enhancement being 56.5 and 9.5 times respectively, from the results of the H2O2 detection. Furthermore, glucose, uric acid and sarcosine were used as model biomarkers to show the biosensing capability with high sensitivity. The linear range and LOD of the glucose, uric acid and sarcosine detection are 0.1 mM-12 mM, 10 μM-800 μM and 2.5 μM-100 μM, 58.5, 3.4 and 0.4 μM, respectively. In particular, biosensing chips show wide linear ranges covering required detection ranges of glucose, uric acid and sarcosine in human serum, indicating the developed device has great potential in self-health management and clinical requirements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaozhan Chen
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; Center for Microflows and Nanoflows, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Bin Ran
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; Center for Microflows and Nanoflows, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Bo Liu
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; Center for Microflows and Nanoflows, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Xiaoxuan Liu
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; Center for Microflows and Nanoflows, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Ziteng Zhang
- Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518112, PR China
| | - Yan Li
- Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518112, PR China
| | - Hongchun Li
- Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518112, PR China
| | - Minbo Lan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, PR China
| | - Yonggang Zhu
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; Center for Microflows and Nanoflows, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shi J, Tong W, Yu Z, Tong L, Chen H, Jin J, Zhu Y. Pollution-Free and Highly Sensitive Lactate Detection in Cell Culture Based on a Microfluidic Chip. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:770. [PMID: 37421003 DOI: 10.3390/mi14040770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Cell metabolite detection is important for cell analysis. As a cellular metabolite, lactate and its detection play an important role in disease diagnosis, drug screening and clinical therapeutics. This paper reports a microfluidic chip integrated with a backflow prevention channel for cell culture and lactate detection. It can effectively realize the upstream and downstream separation of the culture chamber and the detection zone, and prevent the pollution of cells caused by the potential backflow of reagent and buffer solutions. Due to such a separation, it is possible to analyze the lactate concentration in the flow process without contamination of cells. With the information of residence time distribution of the microchannel networks and the detected time signal in the detection chamber, it is possible to calculate the lactate concentration as a function of time using the de-convolution method. We have further demonstrated the suitability of this detection method by measuring lactate production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The microfluidic chip presented here shows good stability in metabolite quick detection and can work continuously for more than a few days. It sheds new insights into pollution-free and high-sensitivity cell metabolism detection, showing broad application prospects in cell analysis, drug screening and disease diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Shi
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Wenqiang Tong
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Zhihang Yu
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Lei Tong
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Huaying Chen
- Center for Microflows and Nanoflows, School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Jing Jin
- Center for Microflows and Nanoflows, School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Yonggang Zhu
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518000, China
- Center for Microflows and Nanoflows, School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518000, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen C, Ran B, Liu B, Liu X, Liu Y, Lan M, Manasseh R, Zhu Y. Development of a novel microfluidic biosensing platform integrating micropillar array electrode and acoustic microstreaming techniques. Biosens Bioelectron 2023; 223:114703. [PMID: 36563526 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2022.114703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Quantifying biomarkers at the early stage of the disease is challenging due to the low abundance of biomarkers in the sample and the lack of sensitive techniques. This article reports the development of a novel microfluidic electrochemical biosensing platform to address this challenge. The electrochemical sensing is achieved by utilizing a micropillar array electrode (μAE) coated with 3D bimetallic Pt-Pd nanotrees to enhance the sensitivity. A bubble-based acoustic microstreaming technique is integrated with the device to increase the contact of analyte molecules with the surface of electrodes to further enhance the electrochemical performance. The current density of Pt-Pd NTs/μAE with acoustic microstreaming is nearly 22 times that of the bare planar electrode in potassium ferrocyanide solution. The developed biosensor has demonstrated excellent sensing performance. For hydrogen peroxide detection, both the Pt-Pd NTs/μAE and acoustic microstreaming contribute to the sensitivity enhancement. The current density of the Pt-Pd NTs/μAE is approximatively 28 times that of the bare μAE. With acoustic microstreaming, this enhancement is further increased by nearly 1.6 times. The platform has a linear detection range of 5-1000 μM with a LOD of 1.8 μM toward hydrogen peroxide detection, while for sarcosine detection, the linear range is between 5 and 100 μM and LOD is 2.2 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the sarcosine biosensing shows a high sensitivity of 667 μA mM-1∙cm-2. Such a sensing platform has the potential as a portable device for high sensitivity detection of biomarkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaozhan Chen
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; Center for Microflows and Nanoflows, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Bin Ran
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; Center for Microflows and Nanoflows, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Bo Liu
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; Center for Microflows and Nanoflows, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Xiaoxuan Liu
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; Center for Microflows and Nanoflows, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China
| | - Ya Liu
- BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518083, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Single-Cell Omics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518100, China
| | - Minbo Lan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, PR China
| | - Richard Manasseh
- School of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, 3122, Australia
| | - Yonggang Zhu
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China; Center for Microflows and Nanoflows, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mejia E, Song J, Zhao Y, Qian Y, Xiao C, Lezec HJ, Agrawal A, Zhou W. Scalable two-tier protruding micro-/nano-optoelectrode arrays with hybrid optical-electrical modalities by hierarchical modular design. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:15373-15383. [PMID: 36218083 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr03820j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In situ spatiotemporal characterization of correlated bioelectrical and biochemical processes in living multicellular systems remains a formidable challenge but can offer crucial opportunities in biology and medicine. A promising approach is to develop bio-interfaced multifunctional micro-/nano-sensor arrays with complementary biophotonic-bioelectronic modalities and biomimetic topology to achieve combined bioelectrical and biochemical detection and tight device-cell coupling. However, a system-level engineering strategy is still missing to create multifunctional micro-/nano-sensor arrays that meet the multifaceted design requirements for in situ spatiotemporal characterizations of living systems. Here, we demonstrate a hierarchical modular design and fabrication approach to develop scalable two-tier protruding micro-/nano-optoelectrode arrays that extend the design space of biomimetic micro-/nano-pillar topology, plasmonic nanoantenna-based biophotonic function in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and micro-/nano-electrode-based bioelectronics function in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Notably, two-tier protruding micro-/nano-optoelectrode arrays composed of nanolaminate nanoantenna arrays on top of micropillar electrode arrays can support plasmonic nanocavity modes with high SERS enhancement factors (≈106) and large surface-to-volume ratio with significantly reduced interfacial impedance in EIS measurements. We envision that scalable two-tier protruding micro-/nano-optoelectrode arrays can potentially serve as bio-interfaced multifunctional micro-/nano-sensor arrays for in situ correlated spatiotemporal bioelectrical-biochemical measurements of living multicellular systems such as neuronal network cultures, cancerous organoids, and microbial biofilms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elieser Mejia
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Junyeob Song
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Yuming Zhao
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Yizhou Qian
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Chuan Xiao
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| | - Henri J Lezec
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Amit Agrawal
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chen C, Ran B, Liu B, Liu X, Jin J, Zhu Y. Numerical Study on a Bio-Inspired Micropillar Array Electrode in a Microfluidic Device. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:878. [PMID: 36291015 PMCID: PMC9599680 DOI: 10.3390/bios12100878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The micropillar array electrode (µAE) has been widely applied in microchip-based electrochemical detection systems due to a large current response. However, it was found that amplifying the current through further adjusting geometrical parameters is generally hindered by the shielding effect. To solve this problem, a bio-inspired micropillar array electrode (bµAE) based on the microfluidic device has been proposed in this study. The inspiration is drawn from the structure of leatherback sea turtles' mouths. By deforming a μAE to rearrange the micropillars on bilateral sides of the microchannel, the contact area between micropillars and analytes increases, and thus the current is substantially improved. A numerical simulation was then used to characterize the electrochemical performance of bµAEs. The effects of geometrical and hydrodynamic parameters on the current of bµAEs were investigated. Moreover, a prototypical microchip integrated with bµAE was fabricated for detailed electrochemical measurement. The chronoamperometry measurements were conducted to verify the theoretical performance of bµAEs, and the results suggest that the experimental data are in good agreement with those of the simulation model. This work presents a novel bµAE with great potential for highly sensitive electrochemical detection and provides a new perspective on the efficient configuration of the µAE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaozhan Chen
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bin Ran
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Bo Liu
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Liu
- School of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jing Jin
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yonggang Zhu
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ran B, Chen C, Liu B, Lan M, Chen H, Zhu Y. A Ti
3
C
2
T
X
/Pt–Pd based amperometric biosensor for sensitive cancer biomarker detection. Electrophoresis 2022; 43:2033-2043. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.202100218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Ran
- School of Science Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen Shenzhen P. R. China
| | - Chaozhan Chen
- School of Science Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen Shenzhen P. R. China
| | - Bo Liu
- School of Science Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen Shenzhen P. R. China
| | - Minbo Lan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai P. R. China
| | - Huaying Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen Shenzhen P. R. China
- Center for Microflows and Nanoflows Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen Shenzhen P. R. China
| | - Yonggang Zhu
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen Shenzhen P. R. China
- Center for Microflows and Nanoflows Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen Shenzhen P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Liu B, Ran B, Chen C, Shi L, Liu Y, Chen H, Zhu Y. A low-cost and high-performance 3D micromixer over a wide working range and its application for high-sensitivity biomarker detection. REACT CHEM ENG 2022. [DOI: 10.1039/d2re00103a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Homogenous mixing in microfluidic devices is often required for efficient chemical and biological reactions.Passive micromixing without external energy input has attracted much research interest. We have developed a high-performance 3D...
Collapse
|
9
|
Fapanni T, Sardini E, Serpelloni M, Tonello S. 3D Electrochemical Sensor and Microstructuration Using Aerosol Jet Printing. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 21:7820. [PMID: 34883822 PMCID: PMC8659431 DOI: 10.3390/s21237820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical sensors are attracting great interest for their different applications. To improve their performances, basic research focuses on two main issues: improve their metrological characteristics (e.g., repeatability, reusability and sensitivity) and investigate innovative fabrication processes. In this work, we demonstrate an innovative microstructuration technique aimed at increasing electrochemical sensor sensitivity to improve electrode active area by an innovative fabrication technique. The process is empowered by aerosol jet printing (AJP), an additive-manufacturing and non-contact printing technique that allows depositing functional inks in precise patterns such as parallel lines and grids. The 3D printed microstructures increased the active surface area by up to 130% without changing the substrate occupancy. Further, electrochemical detection of ferro/ferri-cyanide was used to evaluate the sensitivity of the electrodes. This evaluation points out a sensitivity increase of 2.3-fold on average between bare and fully microstructured devices. The increase of surface area and sensitivity are well linearly correlated as expected, verifying the fitness of our production process. The proposed microstructuration is a viable solution for many applications that requires high sensitivity, and the proposed technique, since it does not require masks or complex procedures, turns out to be flexible and applicable to infinite construction geometries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiziano Fapanni
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Emilio Sardini
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Mauro Serpelloni
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (E.S.); (M.S.)
| | - Sarah Tonello
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|