Size-based proteins separation using polymer-entrapped colloidal self-assembled nanoparticles on-chip

• Published in: Electrophoresis 2016-10, Vol.37 (20), p.2602-2609
• Main Authors: Shaabani, Narges, Jemere, Abebaw B., Harrison, D. Jed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Colloidal-self assembly; Colloids; Colloids - chemistry; Column stabilization; Electric fields; Entrapment; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques; Microfluidics; Migration; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Particle Size; Polymers - chemistry; Protein separation; Proteins; Proteins - analysis; Proteins - chemistry; Proteins - isolation & purification; Reproducibility of Results; Separation; Silicon dioxide; Silicon Dioxide - chemistry; Size-based separation
• ISSN: 0173-0835; 1522-2683
• DOI: 10.1002/elps.201600224

We report on a facile method to stabilize colloidal self‐assembled (CSA) nanoparticles packed in microchannels for high speed size‐based separation of proteins. Silica nanoparticles, self‐assembled in a network of microfluidic channels, were stabilized with a methacrylate polymer prepared in situ through photopolymerization. The entrapment conditions were investigated to minimize the effect of the polymer matrix on the structure of the packing and the separation properties of the CSA beds. SEM shows that the methacrylate matrix links the nanoparticles at specific sphere–sphere contact points, improving the stability of the CSA structure at high electric fields (up to at least 1800 V/cm), allowing fast and efficient separation. The %RSD of the protein migration times varied between 0.3 and 0.5% (n = 4, in 1 day) and