Microfluidic devices comprising fluid flow paths having a monolithic chromatographic material

Abstract

Aspects of the invention include a microfluidic device having a fluid flow path and a monolithic chromatographic material covalently bound to at least a portion of a polymeric surface of the fluid flow path. Aspects of the invention further include methods of making and using such devices.

1 . A microfluidic device comprising:
 a fluid flow path having a polymeric surface; and   a monolithic chromatographic material covalently bound to at least a portion of said polymeric surface.   
     
     
         2 . The microfluidic device according to  claim 1 , wherein said monolithic chromatographic material fills at least a portion of said fluid flow path. 
     
     
         3 . The microfluidic device according to  claim 2 , wherein said fluid flow path is straight. 
     
     
         4 . The microfluidic device according to  claim 2 , wherein said fluid flow path is not straight. 
     
     
         5 . The microfluidic device according to  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric surface comprises polyimide. 
     
     
         6 . The microfluidic device according to  claim 1 , wherein said monolithic chromatographic material has a porosity ranging from 0.5 nm to 4000 nm. 
     
     
         7 . The microfluidic device according to  claim 1 , wherein said monolithic chromatographic material is styrenic. 
     
     
         8 . The microfluidic device according to  claim 1 , wherein said monolithic chromatographic material is acrylic. 
     
     
         9 . The microfluidic device according to  claim 1 , wherein said microfluidic device has a chip configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The microfluidic device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is coupled to a detector. 
     
     
         11 . A method of producing a microfluidic device comprising a fluid flow path comprising a chromatographic material, said method comprising:
 (a) filling at least a portion of said fluid flow path having a functionalized polymeric surface with a polymerization mixture of precursor reagents of a monolithic chromatographic material; and   (b) polymerizing said polymerization mixture to produce a microfluidic device comprising a monolithic chromatographic material covalently bound to at least a portion of said polymeric surface of said flow path.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said precursor reagents comprise monomers. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said monomers are styrenic monomers. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said monomers are acrylic monomers. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said precursor reagents comprise a porogen. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said polymerizing comprises applying heat to said polymerization mixture. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said functionalized polymeric surface is a functionalized polyimide surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said method further comprises preparing said functionalized polyimide surface by a method comprising:
 providing a microfluidic device comprising a fluid flow path having a polyimide surface; and   producing carboxylic functional groups on at least a portion of said polymide surface to produce said functionalized polyimide surface.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said carboxyl functional groups are produced by contacting said portion with a basic fluid for a period of time sufficient to produce said carboxylic functional groups on said portion. 
     
     
         20 . A method of processing a fluid, said method comprising:
 providing a microfluidic device having a fluid flow path that comprises:
 a polymeric surface; and 
 a monolithic chromatographic material covalently bound to at least 
 a portion of said polymeric surface; and 
   flowing said fluid through a fluid flow path.   
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein said method is a chromatographic method. 
     
     
         22 . A system comprising:
 a microfluidic device comprising:
 a fluid flow path having a polymeric surface; and 
 a monolithic chromatographic material covalently bound to at least 
 a portion of said polymeric surface; and 
   a detector.   
     
     
         23 . A kit comprising:
 a microfluidic device comprising:
 a fluid flow path having a polymeric surface; and 
 a monolithic chromatographic material covalently bound to at least 
 a portion of said polymeric surface; and 
   a solvent.