Driving Flows in Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Devices with a Cholinium Based Poly Ionic Liquid Hydrogel

Abstract

Paper microfluidics technology requires effective handling and control of fluids, and this remains as asignificant obstacle for their accessibility by end-users, inhibiting their transition from the laboratory intothe market. Here, the synthesis, characterisation and performance as negative passive pumps of choliniumbased poly(ionic liquid) hydrogels are presented, for the manipulation of fluid flow in microfluidic paper-based analytical devices. The hydrogel was able to direct the fluid flow preferentially, and prevent fluidfrom flowing in other directions, thus opening possibilities for effective fluid flow manipulation in microPADs.Moreover, the hydrogel ‘passive pump’ improves the water retention capacity of the microPAD by a factor ofnine when compared to the bare microPAD. Furthermore, the operational lifetime of this microPAD configuration was greatly increased by the integration of the hydrogel passive pumps.