Evaluation of hydrolytic stability of hydrophobic and hydrophilic coating for microfluidic devices

• Main Author: Lim, Xin Wei
• Other Authors: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/60371
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Over the years, polymers devices with sol-gel coatings has increase it popularity as it is economical, ability to mass produce easily and due to its ability to replicate similar surface properties of glass. This project is to evaluate the stability of the sol-gel coatings under different hydrolytic conditions. Poly(methyl methacrylate), cyclic olefin copolymer and polycarbonate substrates are coated with hydrophobic and hydrophilic coating respectively. The sol-gel coatings are evaluated under different conditions and factors, such as hydrolytic aging, different withdrawal rates and solution aging. The experiment shows that hydrophobic coating is more durable compared to hydrophilic coating under hydrolytic aging. In addition, the withdrawal rates also affect the water contact angle of the coating as increased withdrawal rates lower the water contact angle of hydrophilic coatings. Lastly, better coatings can be achieved by increasing the aging duration of solution.